Dlamini Zuma to attend Matola Raid service

Friday, March 13, 2009

Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister, Pallo Jordan and Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma are to attend the commemoration of the Matola Raid in Mozambique on Saturday.

During the height of apartheid, security forces carried out a raid on ANC houses in Matola, Mozambique, where 16 South Africans and one Portuguese national were killed.

The deceased were Mduduzi Guma, Lancelot Hadebe, Mandla Daka, Daniel Molokisi, Steven Ngcobo, Vusumzi Ngwema, Thabang Bookolane, Krishna Rabilal, Themba Dimba, William Khanyile, Motso Mokgabudi, Collin Khumalo, Levinson Mankankaza, Albert Mahutso and others.

Both ministers are expected speak at the 28th anniversary of the Matola Raid on Saturday.

According to a statement by the Department of Arts and Culture on Friday, the commemorations will commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at Lhanguene cemetery in Maputo. A soil turning ceremony will be held at the Matola Raid Project Monument Site in Matola City.

Various South African artists will perform alongside their Mozambican counterparts.

In an attempt to address the historical imbalances in the heritage sector and to promote social cohesion and nation-building, the South African government has approved a number of legacy projects, including the Matola Raid Project.