Cassinga survivors to write memoirs

Survivors of the Cassinga massacre plan to write memoirs of their experiences.

The memoirs, that will depict what transpired on 04 May 1978 when South African Defence Force (SADF) soldiers attacked a Swapo refugee camp at Cassinga in southern Angola, will then be compiled into one document.

This was said by Vahongaifa Mwanyekange, who spoke on behalf of the survivors during the commemoration of the 39th anniversary of Cassinga Day at the UN Plaza in Windhoek today.

Cassinga Day is observed to honour about 600 people who died on the day.

Some 400 people were wounded.

Mwanyekange said those who were not killed during the mass attack at the Cassinga refugee camp will give a true account of the event so that it can be documented.

He added that although many years have passed, the survivors were still filled with vivid memories of the loss of lives, injuries and emotional trauma suffered on the day.

“The main idea is to pay our respects to our fallen heroes and heroines,” he said.

Last year, a group of about 217 people travelled to the village of Cassinga, situated some 250 kilometres north of the Namibia-Angola border, to commemorate the day.

Mwanyekange said the trip symbolised their commitment, adding that they will never forget the atrocities committed by the then South African regime.

“The pilgrimage was a healing process as many of us finally came to terms with what had happened after so many years,” he said.

– Nampa

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