٠٠:٠٣:٣٨The remains of 49 South African liberation fighters who died in exile in Zimbabwe and Zambia - during the long-running struggle against white minority rule - were flown home to Waterkloof Airforce Base in Tshwane on Wednesday.
Footage shows the aircraft carrying the coffins landing, followed by a ceremony for family members led by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga at the base.
Family members expressed their relief and thanks for receiving the remains of their loved ones.
"I’m waiting here for our father, who was perhaps killed in '83. ... So it's just jubilation to see him come back, for it's been a long time waiting," said one family member. "This is where he belongs you know. So we do feel perhaps grateful that it's happening at last, you know. It was supposed to have been a long time, but it's happening now. So it's a relief, it's final closure.”
"Probably my grandfather where he is now, he is going to be sleeping at peace, because now he's going to feel his remains are touching the soil, the African soil, the South African soil," said another.
According to media reports, repatriations used to be arranged individually, often at the request of families. Recently, the South African government has introduced a formal process for bringing back the remains of those who died abroad.
Reburial ceremonies will take place in their home provinces this week.
'It's a relief, it's final closure' - Remains of 49 South African liberation fighters who died in exile returned home
The remains of 49 South African liberation fighters who died in exile in Zimbabwe and Zambia - during the long-running struggle against white minority rule - were flown home to Waterkloof Airforce Base in Tshwane on Wednesday.
Footage shows the aircraft carrying the coffins landing, followed by a ceremony for family members led by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga at the base.
Family members expressed their relief and thanks for receiving the remains of their loved ones.
"I’m waiting here for our father, who was perhaps killed in '83. ... So it's just jubilation to see him come back, for it's been a long time waiting," said one family member. "This is where he belongs you know. So we do feel perhaps grateful that it's happening at last, you know. It was supposed to have been a long time, but it's happening now. So it's a relief, it's final closure.”
"Probably my grandfather where he is now, he is going to be sleeping at peace, because now he's going to feel his remains are touching the soil, the African soil, the South African soil," said another.
According to media reports, repatriations used to be arranged individually, often at the request of families. Recently, the South African government has introduced a formal process for bringing back the remains of those who died abroad.
Reburial ceremonies will take place in their home provinces this week.
The remains of 49 South African liberation fighters who died in exile in Zimbabwe and Zambia - during the long-running struggle against white minority rule - were flown home to Waterkloof Airforce Base in Tshwane on Wednesday.
Footage shows the aircraft carrying the coffins landing, followed by a ceremony for family members led by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga at the base.
Family members expressed their relief and thanks for receiving the remains of their loved ones.
"I’m waiting here for our father, who was perhaps killed in '83. ... So it's just jubilation to see him come back, for it's been a long time waiting," said one family member. "This is where he belongs you know. So we do feel perhaps grateful that it's happening at last, you know. It was supposed to have been a long time, but it's happening now. So it's a relief, it's final closure.”
"Probably my grandfather where he is now, he is going to be sleeping at peace, because now he's going to feel his remains are touching the soil, the African soil, the South African soil," said another.
According to media reports, repatriations used to be arranged individually, often at the request of families. Recently, the South African government has introduced a formal process for bringing back the remains of those who died abroad.
Reburial ceremonies will take place in their home provinces this week.