Nokwe family excited for repatriation of struggle activists’ remains

On Wednesday, government received the human remains of over forty struggle stalwarts who died in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The repatriation of these fallen struggle stalwarts is in line with President Ramaphosa’s statement from the February 2020, State of the Nation Address where he pronounced for the repatriation and reburial of anti-apartheid activists.

Ramaphosa disclosed that repatriating the human remains of these struggle stalwarts would signify the road to freedom and democracy. These two countries were tactically selected for the execution of this project.

Amongst the repatriated is former African National Congress Secretary General, Advocate Dumalisile ‘Duma’ Nokwe.

Nokwe was the prominent secretary of the ANC Youth League during his tertiary days from 1953 to 1958.

He also stood as an underground member of the South African Communist Party (SACP).

He remained as one of the advocates who defended the 156 apartheid victims suspected of treason between 1956 and 1961.

After the trial, Nokwe was imprisoned and banned.

In 1962, he was placed under house-arrest and succeeded to flee South Africa in 1963.

He was ANC Secretary-General from 1958 to 1969.

He was in the headship of the exiled ANC up until his death in 1978. 

Dr Nomvuyo Nokwe, daughter of former ANC Secretary General says her family is extremely excited about the repatriation of their father.

PODCAST| Dr Nomvuyo Nokwe details repatriation of her father