Minister Gayton Mckenzie hosts repatriation ceremony of Namibian political prisoners and ancestral remains in Cape Town, 19 Aug

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, in partnership with Iziko Museums of South Africa, Robben Island Museum (RIM) and the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), together with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Namibia, invites members of the media to a solemn repatriation ceremony honouring two Namibian political prisoners and returning ancestral human remains, grave goods and body casts to their rightful cultural context.

This landmark occasion represents a significant act of restorative justice and a reaffirmation of human dignity, confronting the painful legacies of apartheid and colonialism. The ceremony will bring together senior government representatives from South Africa and Namibia and will include official addresses and cultural rituals honouring those being returned.

The repatriation marks a profound step towards healing historical wounds, restoring dignity and reclaiming a history that was unjustly denied. It further underscores the commitment of both countries to addressing the enduring consequences of historical injustice and advancing meaningful cultural restitution.

Members of the media are invited to attend as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Time: 10:00 - 15:00
Venue: Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town.

For RSVPs,Mr Madimetja Moleba, Email: [email protected], Cell: 066 301 4675 (Call &WhatsApp)

For media enquiries:

Ms Stacey-Lee Khojane, Spokesperson: Office of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: [email protected] │ Cell: +27 77 608 7579

Ms Zimasa Velaphi, Head of Communication and Marketing: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: [email protected] │ Cell: +27 72 172 8925