Namibia Moves to Bring Home Remains of Former Political Prisoners and 84 Ancestors
By TUW
The Namibian Government has begun a major repatriation process in South Africa aimed at bringing home the remains of two former political prisoners and 84 ancestral human remains believed to be of Namibian origin.
A Namibian delegation is currently in Cape Town as part of the mission involving the remains of Simon Petrus Niilenge and Festus Nehale, both of whom were former political prisoners held on Robben Island during the apartheid era.
The delegation comprises family members, former political prisoners, traditional leaders, government representatives, historians, archaeologists, heritage and cultural practitioners, as well as other technical specialists involved in the repatriation process.
On 12 August, the delegation carried out customary rituals and verification procedures at the Iziko Museums in Cape Town. Similar ceremonies were conducted at Gugulethu Cemetery, where Niilenge was buried 52 years ago, and Maitland Cemetery, where Nehale was laid to rest 55 years ago.
The rituals form part of the cultural and legal procedures required before the remains can be formally received, exhumed and transported to Namibia for final reburial.
The process is being undertaken in consultation with the families of the deceased, traditional authorities, former political prisoners and relevant government and technical officials to ensure that both cultural requirements and formal procedures are respected.
In addition to the remains of Niilenge and Nehale, the mission includes efforts to repatriate 84 ancestral human remains of Namibians currently held in South Africa.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology said the government is committed to ensuring that the repatriation is carried out with dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect for the deceased, their families and Namibia’s heritage.
The government said the ultimate objective is to return the remains to Namibia, where they can receive appropriate final burials in accordance with the wishes of their families, traditional authorities and relevant cultural protocols.
The repatriation initiative forms part of broader efforts to address the historical legacy of colonialism and apartheid and to restore the remains of Namibians who died or were buried outside the country to their homeland.
