By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated the repatriation and restitution homecoming ceremony of 42 freedom fighters at Freedom Park heritage site in Pretoria.
Minister of defence and military veterans Angie Motshekga received the remains at the Waterkloof Airforce base.
It was a special occasion where the country honours its heroes and heroines who died in exile and their mortal remains were kept at the One Military Hospital, the very same facility that once housed Nelson Mandela’s remains.
The first stop was at the sacred point, Isivivane, a place of rocks where interfaith rituals were performed and it seeks to promote unity and preserve heritage.
Ramaphosa then led a wreath-laying ceremony to honour the stalwarts.
Caskets were also taken to the amphitheatre and this was a much-anticipated moment for families.
Countries that hosted the freedom fighters also paid homage to the anti-apartheid activists.
Zambian High Commissioner Mazuba Monze said, “We would like to highly commend SA government for our shared history.”
Zimbabwean Ambassador to SA, David Hamadziripi added this was a painful period in the country.
“It reminds us of our strength to overcome future challenges.”
Former president Thabo Mbeki also attended the ceremony and he spoke fondly about the former leading party, African National Congress Secretary General Duma Nokwe whose remains were returned as well.
“I stayed with the Nokwe’s family, it was necessary for us to come and say welcome back,” added Mbeki.
Ramaphosa said the country must never forget to pay homage to its freedom fighters.
“Now, through this act of repatriation, families went through a lot of anguish and pain,” added Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said that his government was building the South Africa that liberation movements fought for.
“That will be the best memorial that we can build for the people who sacrificed so much, who are lying before us.We must work to end all forms of violence, particularly violence against women and children and we must build safe homes and safe communities. We must tear down the divisions between black and white, between men and women and between rich and poor.”