Windhoek: Consultations with traditional authorities regarding the final reburial of 84 ancestral remains returned from South Africa are set to commence following their dignified return to Namibia.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, described the repatriation of the 84 ancestral remains, along with associated body casts and the mortal remains of two former Robben Island political prisoners, Festus Nehale and Simon Petrus Niilenge, as a deeply significant milestone. The formal handover took place in Cape Town, South Africa.

The minister noted that following their return, a dedicated three-day period will focus on plans for the reburial of the ex-political prisoners and establishing a temporary place of mourning for the ancestral remains and casts. Steenkamp highlighted that the long-term journey toward the final reburial of the ancestral remains will depend heavily on grassroots engagement.

Steenkamp stated, 'After that, the journey forward will be consultations with the community as to the what, the when, and the where in terms of final burial for the ancestral remains or the way forward. Those are discussions that we need to have with our traditional authorities, and we already started, and that is why they are also very actively engaged here.'

The minister underscored that the effort extends beyond mere physical transportation, relying on comprehensive provenance research, legal frameworks, and continuous historical documentation. Reflecting on the shared history of colonial oppression between Namibia and South Africa, Steenkamp emphasised that fulfilling the promise to bring the ancestral remains home honours a deep commitment to shared humanity and strengthens bilateral ties.