The mortal remains of 42 South African freedom fighters who passed away while exiled in Zimbabwe and Zambia during the struggle against white minority rule were brought back to the country on Wednesday. The remains were received at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria by government officials and family members. They were exhumed in Zambia and Zimbabwe for reburial in their homeland as part of a government initiative to provide closure to families.

The individuals who passed away were serving in the underground structures of the African National Congress and Pan Africanist Congress. Before the end of apartheid in 1994, many activists sought military training abroad with the intention of returning home to participate in the armed struggle. Some left South Africa to avoid being apprehended by the apartheid regime for their anti-apartheid involvement and sought refuge in Zimbabwe and Zambia where the underground movements were robust.

During the apartheid era, the African National Congress party, led by Nelson Mandela, relocated its headquarters to Lusaka, Zambia after being banned in South Africa. Numerous activists perished in exile and were laid to rest in those countries. The repatriated remains include those of prominent freedom fighters such as Duma Nokwe, Florence Mophosho, and Basil February.

The repatriation efforts aim to educate future generations about the significant role played by these individuals in the struggle against apartheid. Deputy President Paul Mashatile underscored the importance of this initiative during a Heritage Day event in South Africa, emphasizing that it serves as a national memory project commemorating South Africa’s journey to freedom.

A homecoming ceremony hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled for Friday before the remains are handed over to their respective families for reburial across the nation. The government is also in the process of repatriating the remains of other South Africans from countries such as Lesotho, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Angola, Russia, and more. Deputy Defense Minister Bantu Holomisa expressed hope that this process would extend to individuals who passed away under challenging circumstances in other nations, welcoming them back to reunite with their families.