IN a significant act of remembrance and reconciliation, South Africa has commenced the exhumation of 26 apartheid-era freedom fighters who died while seeking refuge in Zambia. These heroes, who played a crucial role in the fight against apartheid, were buried in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, and their remains are now being repatriated to South Africa.
The exhumation ceremony, which began on Wednesday and will continue over three days, underscores the deep historical ties between Zambia and South Africa, forged in the struggle for freedom and justice. Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala expressed Zambia’s ongoing solidarity with the families of the fallen freedom fighters, emphasizing the enduring relationship between the two nations.
‘Zambia continues to share cordial bilateral relations with South Africa as a result of the shared struggles to liberate Africa from oppression, injustice, and tyranny,’ Chitangala said during the ceremony.
Kenan Zulu, a representative of the Zambia National Heritage Conservation Commission, spoke of the significance of this exhumation as a ‘symbol of peace and honor to the affected families,’ Anadolu news agency reported. The repatriation of these remains allows families to reconnect with their heritage and honour the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom.
Among those present at the ceremony was Nomvuyo Nokwe, the daughter of Dumalisile Philemon Nokwe, one of the 26 freedom fighters being exhumed. She expressed her gratitude to the Zambian government for facilitating this important gesture.
‘This gesture shows the importance Zambia attaches to the bilateral relations shared between the two countries,’ she said, adding that the repatriation offers a profound sense of closure and honor for the families involved.
The exhumation of these 26 freedom fighters marks a powerful reminder of the shared history between South Africa and Zambia. Both countries fought tirelessly to end apartheid and oppression in the region, and this act of remembrance strengthens the deep bonds of friendship between the two nations.
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