By Ditaba Tsotetsi

Ramaphosa addressed the homecoming ceremony in Freedom Park, Pretoria, to honour liberation fighters who passed away in exile in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

42 mortal remains have been brought back to the country.

The President says they will always be grateful to the countries that offered freedom fighters shelter, support and a fitting resting place.

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 42 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 says, “We would like to highly commend SA government for our shared history.”

Zimbabwean Ambassador to SA, David Hamadziripi says this was a painful period in the country.

“It reminds us of our strength to overcome future challenges.”

Former SA 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,” adds Mbeki.

President Ramaphosa says 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,” adds Ramaphosa.

Now the big task will start for families as they will have to rebury their loved ones in their respective areas.

-SABC--