Pretoria - Moses Kotane, our leader and John Marks, our leader, are finally home, President Jacob Zuma said to loud applause and ululation by those gathered at the reception ceremony for their remains, at Waterkloof Airbase on Sunday morning.
Zuma said the exit journey taken by the two, who he called giants of the liberation struggle, had been long and difficult.
"From South Africa to Botswana, to Zambia, Zimbabwe and finally Moscow which is far away," he said.
"Today their journey was only 10 hours, and it is to a democratic country," Zuma said.
He spoke about six hours after the remains of the two landed at the military airbase.
Their families and supporters were there to receive them, five decades after they died and were buried in Russia.
Zuma paid tribute to the Russian government and President Vladimir Putin, saying: "Thanks for caring for our stalwarts in life and in death."
He said the Russian government had requested that busts of Kotane and Marks remain where the graves had been.
The event was attended by cabinet ministers, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps.
Members of the SACP, of which Kotane was a leader, had come in their numbers and they sang and danced in memory of the two men.
Zuma said it was Kotane who was roped in by Oliver Tambo, to help him mobilise international support when he left the country, tasked with getting support against apartheid.
Zuma explained that Kotane was able to unlock the potential of support in the Soviet Union, when the support of African and other countries was unavailable due to a lack of mechanisms for what was needed.
The Soviet Union opened up their doors: "They supplied us with everything; military training and support of everything you can think of."
They gave academic training, producing doctors; provided food. They cared for our people in life, and buried them on their land after death.
"And all for free, with no strings attached. "
They were South Africa’s friend in the struggle for democracy, Zuma said.
"We say to our heroes, you are welcome home."
"You will now rest in piece in the land of your forefathers."
The two will be given state funerals in their respective hometowns in the North West, Kotane being buried March 14 and Marks on March 22.
Pretoria News