Zimbabwe is poised to commence the second phase of the exhumation and repatriation of South African liberation fighters who perished in exile within its borders, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced today. This significant move underscores the deepening bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa, built on a shared history of struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
President Mnangagwa emphasized the need for closer collaboration between the two nations in preserving and curating their intertwined histories. This development follows heightened cooperation in the heritage sector, including the repatriation of artifacts, ancestral human remains, and wartime digital photographs from South Africa to Zimbabwe in April 2026.
Key Players Involved
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Announced Zimbabwe’s readiness for the repatriation.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa: Issued a directive leading to previous artifact repatriations and engaged in the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission.
- Mr. Gayton McKenzie: South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, who previously handed over artifacts to President Mnangagwa.
Event Timeline
- August 22, 2026: President Mnangagwa announces readiness for the second phase of repatriation.
- April 2026: Zimbabwe receives artifacts, human remains, and photographs repatriated from South Africa.
- September 2024: Zimbabwe handed over remains of 16 South African liberation stalwarts to South Africa.
