Mashatile: 'We should engrave the names of our struggle heroes in our hearts'

JOHANNESBURG - Deputy President Paul Mashatile said that the repatriation of the remains of 49 freedom fighters formed part of the Resistance and Liberation Heritage Route Project.

Mashatile on Tuesday delivered the keynote address at government’s Heritage Day commemoration event in Ficksburg in the Free State.

This year’s celebrations are under the theme ''Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom".
 
Masahtile said that as a nation, we should engrave the names of our struggle heroes and teach new generations about their contributions to our nation.

READ: Remains of more struggle stalwarts who died in exile heading home - Cabinet

He said the repatriation of remains of struggle stalwarts who died in exile was part of this.

"As a national memory project, this initiative aims to commemorate, celebrate, educate, promote, preserve, conserve, and provide a durable testament to South Africa's road to freedom," Mashatile said.

A homecoming ceremony will be held on Friday where President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially receive the repatriated remains from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Among those to be repatriated are the remains of anti-apartheid activists Duma Nokwe, Florence Mophosho and Basil February.