Families of former liberation heroes who died in exile at Waterkloof to receive their remains

TSHWANE - The families of former liberation heroes who died in exile are beginning to gather at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria to receive their remains more than three decades later.

The remains of 49 struggle stalwarts who lost their lives in Zambia and Zimbabwe during the apartheid era are set to arrive back in South Africa on Wednesday afternoon.

This is part of government’s initiative to repatriate the remains of freedom fighters who lost their lives fighting for the country’s liberation.

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

Families of freedom fighters who died in exile are eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones' remains, having hoped for this moment for over 30 years.

Dozens of hearses are parked near the runway at Waterkloof Air Force Base, prepared to collect the remains of the 49 liberation fighters.

Nomazibulo Khalushi, whose brother died in Zambia in 1988, said her family was excited to finally receive his remains, albeit 36 years later.

"The way I'm happy and the way we are anxious – we were fully prepared for this day."

She said the family would now be able to perform cultural rituals, which they couldn't do while he was buried in a foreign country.

She has also lauded government for honouring the legacies of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for South Africa’s liberation.