ANC stalwart's remains return
2010-02-21 08:46
Durban - The remains of ANC stalwart Johnny Makhathini were welcomed by hundreds of people at Durban International Airport on Saturday night.
Makhathini's remains were exhumed in Zambia on Saturday morning by a government delegation led by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize.
Makhathini died in exile on December 3, 1988 and his remains will be reburied on February 27 in Pietermaritzburg.
Addressing about 200 people who welcomed Makhathini’s remains by singing liberation songs, Mkhize described Makhathini as a real freedom fighter.
“Makhathini played a huge role in making the world know what the apartheid government was doing. He was a dedicated freedom fighter,"said Mkhize.
Makhathini’s coffin was carried by former Umkhonto Wesizwe soldiers who also formed the delegation that went to Zambia.
Wife, daughter present
Makhathini’s wife, Valerie and his daughter Nandi, who live in Atlanta in America, were also in Zambia to witness the exhumation.
“We would like to thank president (Kenneth) Kaunda for the role he played during the struggle. He welcomed us and gave us shelter,"said Mkhize.
He said Kaunda had told them that he was introduced to Makhathini by former ANC president Oliver Tambo.
Speaking in Zambia before Makhathini’s remains were flown to South Africa, the former Zambian president described Makhathini as a dedicated and fearless freedom fighter.
“He was an eloquent debater at the United Nations where he represented the people of South Africa,"Kaunda said.
Makhathini had participated in many deliberations regarding the situation in South Africa.
Mkhize said Makhathini’s Jamaican-born wife had told him that she and her daughter would come back to South Africa very soon.
“She told me that she is still waiting for her daughter (Nandi) to finish her studies. They will come back as soon as she finishes her studies," said Mkhize.
He said it was a pity that Makhathini had dies just 14 months before the release on former President Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990.
- SAPA