Struggle stalwart’s remains to be reburied on home soil
40 years after her death in exile, Florence Mophosho’s family is happy that her remains are in the country, and that she can be reburied in South Africa.
Four decades after her death, the family of Florence Mophosho will finally lay her to rest on home soil. Mophosho died in exile in Zambia, where her remains have been, until their repatriation to South Africa last year.
Her great-grandniece, advocate Paulance Mophosho-Makgothi, said her reburial, in her birthplace, means a lot, mainly because of her contribution in the struggle against apartheid. “She was the leader of the ANC. We are grateful that she was working for the ANC and died fighting for freedom. For people to be liberated from apartheid. We are proud of her.”
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President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the return of the remains of several struggle stalwarts last year, describing the repatriation as a restoration of dignity. “Through the act of repatriation, we reinstate their citizenship. We return them to the land of their birth. We restore them to their families and their people.”
Speaking specifically about Mophosho, Ramaphosa called her a pioneer in the fight for women’s rights. “She helped us understand that no society can be free until its women are free.”
Mophosho was a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement. She rose to become an organiser of the ANC, playing a key role in the women’s movement as head of the women’s section. According to the presidency, she helped mobilise the Transvaal demonstrations against pass laws for African women in Alexandra, and was instrumental in the nationwide women’s march on August 9, 1956.
On August 20, the ANC Women’s League visited the Mophosho family to assist with preparations for her reburial, scheduled for August 30. MEC Faith Mazibuko and Ward 108 councillor Deborah Francisco joined the visit to assess the family’s home in Alexandra.
Francisco confirmed that Mophosho’s remains had been repatriated, and said the visit was part of efforts to support the family ahead of Mophosho’s reburial. “Her remains have been brought back. We are here to check what we can do to make the place better before the funeral.”
She described Mophosho as a courageous leader who stood against apartheid’s pass laws at great personal cost. “She fought for our rights and against the pass laws. She took a stance against oppression when being a politician wasn’t fashionable.”
She did acknowledge, however, that Mophosho’s legacy remains under-recognised. “Her history is known, but not by all. It’s our duty to keep teaching about our history and the role she played in South Africa.”
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