S.Africa wants return of apartheid-, colonial-era remains [Video]

South Africa is determined to repatriate the remains of its people taken abroad during the colonial era and those who died in exile as anti-apartheid activists, the culture minister said Monday.

The government was in contact with foreign institutions over the return of remains of indigenous people, including from the KhoiSan group who are regarded as among the country’s “first people”, minister Gayton McKenzie told reporters.

Government teams would also visit neighbouring countries such as Angola and Zimbabwe to inspect cemetery records to trace people who may have died there during the struggle against apartheid so they could be repatriated, he said.

“These are acts of justice, remembrance and healing,” he said. “They affirm our government’s commitment to restore dignity, promote cultural restoration, and confront the painful legacy of colonialism and apartheid.”

The minister of sports, arts and culture announced a plan to rebury the remains of 58 indigenous people …