Cassinga survivors plan painful pilgrimage

Over 150 Namibians, who survived the horrific Cassinga Massacre in Angola in 1978, are planning to visit the site next year, for the first time since that fateful day. They say they are finally ready to say farewell to their fallen heroes, at the mass grave where they were buried. Thousands of lives, including those of innocent women and children, were lost on May 4, 1978, after a South African airborne attack on a Swapo camp. It has been described as one of the darkest days in the history of Namibia’s liberation struggle. Cassinga Survivors Committee chairperson Ignatius Mwanyekange told Namibian Sun that since August the committee has sat down to discuss issues, and after several meetings, they decided to go to Cassinga on May 4, 2016 for the first time since the tragedy. Mwanyekange said although it was not an easy decision, they will have to go on the expedition to say goodbye to their fellow comrades, who perished in the horrific attacks. He said there are fellow survivors who still do not know where the mass grave is at Cassinga, because directions used during the liberation war had not been that clear. Mwanyekange said at that time, people were hiding from the enemy or may have visited the camp a day or two before the attacks. “What is more painful is that some people do not know where the site is. They fled because of the war and now it is the time we go back and give a proper farewell,” he said. Mwanyekange, who was 17 years old at the time of the massacre, said they are extending an invitation to all Namibians, who wish to join them on their trip. “We invite all peace-loving Namibians on the trip, for them to learn more about what happened on that day, but also see where it happened,” he said. When asked why they have waited so long to decide to return, Mwanyekange said the healing process for such an event “could not be defined”. He said the damage done by witnessing body parts scattered all over, was not something that one could easily forget. Mwanyekange also said that because Angola was also experiencing civil war, it had not been a good time to the visit the site, but things were now peaceful. Asked how survivors feel when Cassinga Day is commemorated each year, he said some of them even go the extent of locking themselves up in their rooms and shedding tears in remembrance of their fellow comrades, whose lives were cut short. Mwanyekange said the weeklong expedition will be expensive and they are therefore calling for assistance from willing and able citizens, who want to contribute. However, he stressed they are not begging for funds, as the group members are either employed or also receive grants from the government. The donated funds will be used to cover any shortfalls. Mwanyekange said they have engaged all relevant stakeholders to ensure the trip is a success, including the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation and Swapo. KENYA KAMBOWE