Namibia Reburies Eight Liberation Fighters at Heroes Acre

NAMIBIA · SOCIETY

Key Facts

—Who: Festus Nehale and Simon Niilenge fought South Africa’s occupation of what was then South West Africa. Nehale died in 1971 and Niilenge in 1974, and both were buried in Cape Town.

—When: Nehale and Niilenge were reburied at Heroes Acre on Monday 24 August, alongside six fellow liberation fighters — eight veterans in all. The ceremony came two days before Heroes Day, which this year marks 60 years since the armed struggle began.

—The handover: Their remains were returned on 19 August at a ceremony in Cape Town. South Africa’s Minister of Culture Gayton McKenzie called it an act of restorative justice.