Ramaphosa praises GNU for finalising repatriation of freedom fighters who died in exile

PRETORIA - President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the Government of National Unity (GNU) for finalising the repatriation of freedom fighters who died in exile.

The remains of 49 liberation heroes who died in Zambia and Zimbabwe more than 30 years ago were returned to South Africa earlier week.

Ramaphosa led a homecoming ceremony at the Freedom Park Heritage Site in Pretoria on Friday to honour their legacies.

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It was a somber day at Freedom Park Heritage Site, as families of the freedom fighters whose remains were returned to the country have finally found closure.

Some relatives were visibly filled with emotion, while others expressed joy at finally receiving the remains of their loved ones.

President Ramaphosa has thanked Patriotic Alliance leader and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie for his contribution to the exile repatriation programme. 

"Who would ever had thought that this programme would be pushed through by a minister who is not an ANC minister, taking forward the work that was started by an ANC minister, so thank you for that."

He said that the GNU should always aim to demonstrate unity, even though the various parties had different policy and ideological beliefs.