Scores of families across the country are set to find closure through the spiritual repatriation of their loved ones from Angola, where they died fighting forces of the apartheid regime.
Representatives of 53 families are being flown to Angola to take part in rituals aimed at bringing home the spirits of the fallen combatants. The first stage of the process took place at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Wednesday, ahead of the families’ departure on Thursday.
Freedom Park CEO Dr Hilton Fisher, who is among those facilitating the process, said it was significant because it would help bring closure to the families.
“This is the beginning of the process through which they can bring back the spirits of their loved ones. This is so important for closure, and the South African government has promised that this will be done in stages.
“The first stage involved Zambia and Zimbabwe, and now we are dealing with the Angolan Vienna Transit Camp.
“I think you understand the significance of this. I said in my address that we do not take our role lightly. This is so important. It is so important for closure,” said Fisher.
The families are accompanied on their trip to Angola by government officials and commanders of the former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the main guerrilla movement that fought against apartheid forces in the region.
According to Fisher, plans are also under way to repatriate the physical remains of the fallen combatants.
“Beyond this phase, we are also bringing back the mortal remains of the comrades and combatants who died during the struggle for freedom in this country. We are bringing those remains home, and that will be another phase of the process.
“We will then honour them, most likely here at Freedom Park. The final stage will be to honour them by placing their names on the Wall of Names, which you can see behind me.
“We will add their names for posterity, to recognise and honour those comrades who died in the struggle for freedom in this country,” said Fisher.
The process began with family elders and former MK commanders performing rituals at iSivivani, a sacred site at Freedom Park.