Paris- Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa accompanied by his spouse Dr Tshepo Motsepe arrived in Paris this morning, Saturday 5 July 2014 on a working visit to France.

The Deputy President who is supported by Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Deputy Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo, Ambassador Dolana Msimang and senior government officials, is in France to participate in the re-interment of the mortal remains of Private Myengwa Beleza, one of the first South Africans and a member of the African Native Labour Corps to perish during World War 1 in France.

The re-interment ceremony takes place against the background of the 98th commemoration of the battle of Delville Wood in France during World War 1 in which a number of South African soldiers perished.

Due to segregation at the time, black South Africans who had perished during the war were buried separately in different civilian cemeteries across France, while their white counterparts were interred at the Delville Wood Memorial.

The reburial ceremony, organised by the South African Embassy in France will witness the exhumation of the mortal remains of Private Beleza from the civilian cemetery of Seine-Maritime near Le Havre for reburial at Delville Wood Memorial to honour all South Africans, black and white who paid with their lives during World War 1.

The re-interment process is part is of government efforts to restore the dignity particularly of those black South Africans who made an immense contribution towards world peace. 

Following the reburial ceremony, Deputy President will also lay a wreath at the French Memorial.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will later on Sunday 6 July depart France to lead a government delegation on a working visit to Sri Lanka from 7-8 July 2014.

PROGRAMME – Delville Wood Memorial

Saturday, 6 July 2014

09h00 Re-interment Ceremonies at Delville Wood

10h30 Commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood

Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the French Memorial

Enquiries:

Ronnie Mamoepa Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 082 990 4853 or Matshepo Seedat on 082 679 9473

Issued by: The Presidency

Union Buildings

Private Bag X 1000

Pretoria

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