Two of the six ANC Mkhonto weSizwe (MK) operatives, whose remains returned home after decades in foreign soil, were buried on Sunday.
These freedom fighters, who lost their lives in Zimbabwe and Zambia during the liberation struggle, were honoured with a hero’s welcome at a moving ceremony organised by the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal last week.
These six operatives were among 49 freedom fighters repatriated to the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria in September, a milestone in the South African government’s ongoing programme to bring home the remains of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. Since arriving in Pretoria, the remains had been preserved in a storage facility until arrangements were made to return them to their respective provinces..
The ANC’s provincial secretary, Bheki Mtolo, thanked the families of the fallen operatives for their co-operation in ensuring a fitting tribute. “We thank the family for working with us to ensure that we host this homecoming ceremony,” he said during the proceedings.
Among the KwaZulu-Natal heroes was Ablon Bafana Duma, lauded as a “courageous” operative by ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma. Hailing from uMzumbe on the South Coast, Duma survived a devastating parcel bomb attack in Swaziland that severed his lower arm. Despite his injury, he continued his work with unwavering determination, acting as a vital link in delivering intelligence to comrades both underground and in exile.
Other freedom fighters honoured included Judson Diza Khuzwayo, who was born in Adams Mission and raised in KwaMashu, and Balungile Shembe from northern KwaZulu-Natal. Khuzwayo tragically lost his life in a car accident in Zimbabwe in 1985, while Shembe passed away in 1990, also in Zimbabwe.
On Sunday, the grandson of ANC President John Langalibalele Dube, and Balungile Shembe, the daughter of the founder of the Nazareth Baptist Church were buried.
The late Zenzele Dube was an Umkhonto Wesizwe freedom fighter, and his parents were Baba Sobantu Dube and Mama Agnes Dube
The late Balungile Shembe was the daughter of Mama Busisiwe MaNgwane Shembe and Inkosi J.C. Shembe, the son of the founder of the Nazareth Baptist Church, Prophet Isaiah Mloyiswa Mdliwamafa Shembe.
President John Langalibalele Dube and Prophet Isaiah Mloyiswa Mdliwamafa Shembe shared a special bond, having spent many hours together discussing the growth of the church. Dr Dube helped iNkosi Shembe to write most of the literature that is used in the church today.
