The South African government has received the remains of 42 freedom fighters who died while in exile in Zimbabwe and Zambia during the apartheid struggle against white minority rule.

The remains of the freedom fighters were received by government officials and family members at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in the capital, Pretoria, after being exhumed in Zambia and Zimbabwe for their reburial in the country of their birth, an official statement said.

The repatriation of the remains was part of a government program to bring closure to families whose loved ones died away from home while serving in the underground structures of both the African National Congress and Pan Africanist Congress, according to officials.

Local media reports that before the apartheid system ended in South Africa in 1994, many activists left the country to receive military training elsewhere with the aim of returning home to wage an armed struggle.

“Others left the country to avoid being arrested by the apartheid regime for their involvement in anti-apartheid activities, and chose Zimbabwe and Zambia where the underground structures were the strongest.

“After it was banned in South Africa, the African National Congress party of Nelson Mandela, shifted its headquarters to the Zambian capital, Lusaka.

“Many died in exile and were buried in those countries. Among the remains returned to South Africa were those of freedom struggle stalwarts Duma Nokwe, Florence Mophosho and Basil February.”

South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile who spoke during a Heritage Day event on Tuesday, said the repatriation was part of efforts to teach future generations about the role played by many in the struggle against apartheid.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to host a homecoming ceremony for the repatriated remains on Friday before they are handed over to their families for reburials across the country while there are plans to repatriate the remains of other South Africans from Lesotho, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Angola, Russia and other countries.

A Ghanaian woman, Felicity Asantewaa, has set a Guinness World Record (GWR) for the most cars washed in eight hours by an individual after washing 60 cars, surpassing the previous mark by five vehicles.

Asantewaa feat which was achieved on March 9, at the East Legon Go Go wash in Accra, was officially confirmed by the Guinness World Records on its website on Tuesday.

“The most cars washed in eight hours by an individual is 60 and was achieved by Felicity Asantewaa (Ghana) in Accra, Ghana, on 9 March 2024,” GWR announced on its website.

Asantewaa who expressed her delight on the recognition of her record-breaking effort, took to social media to say her aim was to highlight gender equality and empower young women in her country.

“I love cars and I also know a lot of car brands. So, when I thought of empowering young women and promoting Ghana, I chose what I love to do to have an impact in the young women’s world,” she wrote.

She also stated that she wanted to break the glass in the male-dominated nature of the car-washing industry in Ghana and expressed her belief that women can excel equally in the field.

“I have observed that the car washing job has been dominated by males in Ghana. However, I believe females can equally do this work perfectly.”

She asserted that her achievement stood as a testament to her determination and served as an inspiration to many, particularly young women, looking to challenge gender stereotypes in traditionally male-dominated industries.