'they Looked After Our Heroes': Paul Mashatile Salutes African Nations For Welcoming South Africans Fleeing Apartheid

As South Africa celebrated Heritage Day on Tuesday, Acting President Paul Mashatile has paid tribute to several fellow African countries that opened their doors for South African activists and freedom fighters fleeing the brutal apartheid regime.

Mashatile was giving his keynote address at the Meqheleng Stadium, in Ficksburg, Free State, at the national annual celebrations which were attended by thousands of community members.

During Heritage Month, we remember those who fought for our freedom. Many of our freedom fighters died in Zimbabwe and Zambia and others were killed in this country. Some of them, their families have never been able to identify their graves. They just disappeared, so we need to celebrate all these heroes, said Mashatile.

As our heroes come back for re-burial at home, let me take this opportunity to thank more sincerely the people of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana and many other countries that welcomed our brothers and sisters. They looked after them, they even looked after our fallen heroes.

Siyabonga, re a leboga. No words can be enough to thank you, the people of these countries, he said to ululation from the crowd.