The reburial of the remains of freedom fighter, Basil February, has been conducted in Cape Town. He died in combat in Zimbabwe in 1967 at the age of 24. His family says after decades of searching for his grave, it has now found closure.
His remains have been returned to his family in Cape Town and a funeral service has been held in Somerset West. In September, the remains of some liberation fighters who died in Zambia and Zimbabwe were repatriated to South Africa.
Remembered by the family as a person who was extremely focused. Brutally honest and frank, February has been described as a joyful person who loved engaging in discussions and debates on issues of collective importance. Also known by his operative name Paul Peterson, February was killed as an MK fighter in combat against the apartheid regime.
His younger brother, Terry February says, “Today we are burying Basil in the family grave in fact, our family grave in that grave is my grandmother and my grandfather that is also the burial grave of my father but we buried the ashes in that grave of my mother and as we prepared the grave for today’s funeral of Basil. I managed to retrieve my mother’s ashes and those ashes will now be placed in the coffin with Basil’s remains for burial today and that’s quite a significant and special moment for us as a family.”
He was also revered by his colleagues in exile. He went to former Czechoslovakia for training and, there, he was identified as having achieved brilliantly in all aspects that were put in front of him.
Basil was also a very good writer and he was the editor of the ANC’s Sechaba. He was also the editor of Umkhonto Wesizwe MK publication, Mayibuye.
“Some of Basil’s writings were also received very well by the Zambian university some of the lecturers really enjoyed his works. So he rose through the ranks very quickly before he embarked on the Luthuli Detachment he was appointed commander of the MK in Morogoro as the commander in chief of the MK in the Western Cape.”
His niece Judith February was one of the speakers who gave a moving eulogy for her uncle.
“So after more than five decades of searching for his grave Basil’s journey has come full circle we have brought back his remains and our government is here to give a proper farewell, prompts reflections on South Africa’s own democratic journey have we been true to the lofty ideals and founding provisions of our constitution the ideals of equality human rights and or non-racialism and unity in diversity.”
The reburial has been coordinated by many roleplayers and the government being in the lead.
Head of Department for the Western Cape Department of Arts and Culture, Guy Redman says, “We want the family to know that we will never let the memory of Basil slide away as though it never was the people of South Africa honour Basil February as one of our greatest sons we will remember him as a courageous fighter who even in the face of death stood firm on what he believed in.”
The family says the significance of the reburial is not only bringing them closure but marks the end of nearly six decades of the search for his remains.
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