Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has affirmed that his country has no intention of exhuming or repatriating the remains of South African liberation heroes buried in Tanzania.
He praised the Tanzanian government for its respectful preservation of these historic burial sites, describing them as symbols of brotherhood and shared struggle.
Mbeki made the remarks during a visit to the Solomon Mahlangu Campus (Mazimbu) of the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, where many South African freedom fighters were laid to rest after seeking refuge in Tanzania during the anti-apartheid and anti-colonial struggles.
“South Africa has no reason to disturb the final resting places of our heroes. These graves are cared for with dignity by our Tanzanian brothers and sisters true comrades who stood with us in our darkest hours under colonialism,” Mbeki said.
He emphasized that unless family members of the deceased specifically request the repatriation of remains, which would be done at their own cost, the graves will remain in Tanzania as a testament to the long-standing solidarity between the two nations.
Mbeki also expressed deep appreciation to SUA for its commitment to safeguarding the graves over the years. He praised the university’s dedication to preserving the memory and legacy of the liberation struggle.
“We are sincerely grateful to SUA for the respect and patriotic spirit they have shown. They have become custodians of our shared history, preserving it with professionalism and honor,” he added.
Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima assured that the regional government would continue to protect such historical sites, recognizing their importance as part of Africa’s collective liberation heritage.
He also welcomed South Africa’s initiative to produce a documentary on the lives and sacrifices of the buried heroes, describing it as an opportunity to educate future generations and inspire continued commitment to pan-African ideals.
“We applaud South Africa’s efforts to preserve and promote liberation history through educational content. This shared legacy must be upheld with the dignity it deserves it is a powerful tool for awakening consciousness among today’s youth,” Malima said.
Also present was Simon Shayo, Vice President of AngloGold Ashanti Africa, who noted that the visit was part of the company’s 15th strategic dialogue series.
He said the initiative, held in partnership with the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, aims to advance Africa’s development by drawing on the continent’s historical experiences.
“The Thabo Mbeki Foundation is dedicated to reigniting Africa’s intellectual independence and strategic thinking. We believe that dialogue involving former leaders, scholars, and youth is essential to building a hopeful, forward-looking generation,” Shayo remarked.
Mbeki’s visit is part of a broader collaboration between the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and AngloGold Ashanti Africa, both of which are committed to fostering African consciousness and self-determined development through reflection on the continent’s liberation legacy.