By More Matshediso
Pretoria – Cabinet says it is pleased about concluding the final phase of the repatriation of all mortal remains of South Africans from Nigeria, as well as those of struggle heroes from Russia.
“Our thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones and those who were injured in the [collapse of the guest house owned by the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN) in Lagos] tragedy,” said Minister responsible for Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, on Thursday.
Last year on 12 September, 81 South Africans were killed and 25 were injured when the multi-storey building collapsed in Lagos.
Seventy-four bodies were repatriated in November last year and a formal reception ceremony was held for the families of the victims, while 11 remaining bodies were repatriated in February this year -- as they could not be positively identified.
Kotane and Marks
Minister Radebe said Cabinet also welcomed the return of the mortal remains of renowned struggle icons JB Marks and Moses Kotane to South Africa from Russia, where they were buried 42 years ago.
“These selfless leaders, who are regarded as the fathers of the liberation struggle and had inspired stalwarts such as Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu, will receive special official funerals.
“President Jacob Zuma has instructed that the National Flag fly at half-mast from 9 March until the evening of 22 March 2015,” said Minister Radebe.
Moses Kotane will be reburied in Pella, North West, on 14 March and JB Marks in Ventersdorp, North West, on 22 March.
“Their return is part of government’s commitment to return the remains of all of our fallen heroes who died on foreign soil. Last year, renowned anti-apartheid journalist Nat Nakasa was successfully repatriated from New York to be reburied at the Heroes Acre in Chesterville, Durban,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
