The Minister of Arts & Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa will lead a government delegation and family members to the City of Moscow, Russia, for the repatriation of the mortal remains of two struggle stalwarts, Moses Mauane Kotane and John Beaver (JB) Marks. The Minister Mthethwa and his delegation will arrive in Moscow on 24 February 2015.
Both Kotane and Marks were pioneers of the liberation movement who died in Russia and have been buried in the Novodevitchy cemetery. President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2015 announced the repatriation of these South African heroes. He also extended his word of gratitude to the Russian Federation for taking care of South African heroes for more than 3 decades.
Russia is one of the countries that played a significant role in the attainment of South Africa’s democracy. South Africa’s relations with Russia date back during the most difficult period of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. It is a known fact that during that struggle for liberation, the Soviet Union was fully behind the African National Congress (ANC), Umkhonto weSizwe (military wing of the ANC), South African Communist Party (SACP), and other liberation movements in Africa. Many South Africans were trained in the USSR. These people included Messrs J.B Marks and Moses Kotane.
Minister Mthethwa will embark on a series of activities in Moscow including: delivering a public lecture on 25 February 2015 in one of the Russia’s most prestigious universities, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). In this occasion, the Minister will interact with academics, students,friends of the liberation movement, members of Diplomatic Corps and government officials. The Minister will pay a pilgrimage to the Novodevitchy cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at Troekurovo Cemetery Hall.
The Embassy of South Africa in partnership with Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a state dinner on 27 February 2015. The remains of the two liberation struggle stalwarts are expected to leave Russia on 28 February 2015.
Programme of visit [PDF]
Enquiries:
T Dalamba
Tel: (+79629602449)
E-mail: dalambat@dirco.gov.za
T Maluleke
Tel: +79262423737
E-mail: maluleket@dirco.gov.za
