The families of uMkhonto weSizwe freedom fighters, who died in exile during the struggle against apartheid, have applauded the efforts to return the mortal remains of their relatives.
Judson Khuzwayo, Bafana Duma, Balungile Shembe, Sipho Mdletshe and Luckyboy Ngubane were returned to the place of their birth today. The families say they will now find closure as they have been waiting for more than 30 years to give their loved ones a dignified burial.
The remains of the comrades were recently exhumed in Zimbabwe and Zambia and repatriated to South Africa.
Zinhle Malunga says her grandfather Bafana Duma should be remembered for his sacrifice for freedom.
“We are very happy as a family and this journey brings much joy, knowing that finally he is going to be laid to rest next to his wife. Finally, it will bring closure knowing that he is where he belongs. Obviously, knowing that we have a hero who died not for himself, but South Africa as a whole and his death made us free today, and he sacrifice his life for us,” says Malunga.
Senior ANC member, Sbu Ndebele, who delivered a speech at the event to welcome back the comrades, says he was recruited to join the ANC and MK in 1974 by Duma, who lost his arm in an explosion, died in Zimbabwe in 1989.
The comrades will be buried at their respective homes this month.
“Bafana Duma is the one who recruited me to the ANC and it is a very touching moment and it’s good to see their next of kin and their families who will see their dreams finally realised. We are very happy that it has finally happened and it fills a void in their lives,” says Ndebele.
ANC in KZN welcomes home remains of freedom fighters brought back home
