• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Africa

SA military veterans return cross to Angolan community after 35 years

27 May 2018, 9:43 PM  |
Janet Szabo Janet Szabo |  @SABCNews
An emotional return of the crucifix to Mupa in Angola after 35 years

An emotional return of the crucifix to Mupa in Angola after 35 years

Image: Janet Szabo

An emotional return of the crucifix to Mupa in Angola after 35 years

A simple wooden cross with a carved figure of Christ has been returned to the community of Mupa in southern Angola at an emotional ceremony some 35 years after it was removed by a South African soldier.

The crucifix was handed back during a packed service at the village’s large Roman Catholic mission church, attended by locals as well as over 100 South Africans.

The service was conducted jointly by the Catholic priest, Father Renato Felix Gaudencio, and Dominee Fanus Hansen, who had been the chaplain at for 61 Mechanised Battalion Group from 1990 to 1995.

The group, made up mainly of military veterans took part in the recent “Unidade de Amizade”, or “United in Friendship” tour to Angola organised by the 61 Mechanised Veterans Association to remember their former comrades who died or were wounded during the Border War and to extend the hand of friendship and reconciliation to their former enemies.

The crucifix was removed from the church – which had been looted and abandoned since August 1982 – in 1983 by a national serviceman, Douglas Beveridge. It was taken back to South Africa and kept by a member of the Beveridge family in Port Elizabeth.

It was later handed over to the 61 Mechanised Veterans Association for safe-keeping. The Association planned to return the cross to Mupa during a tour to Angola in 2015. This did not take place and it remained in the Association’s care.

Speaking during the ceremony, Father Renato thanked the group and expressed gratitude for the return of the cross. He also asked that the church’s bell which was in South Africa, be returned as well.

One of the organisers of the visit, retired General Roland de Vries later explained that this was not the bell at the Hind Memorial at the National War Museum in Johannesburg, but another bell which is now in the possession of 5 Special Forces Regiment at Phalaborwa.

There was also an unexpected and emotional moment at the service for General De Vries when he met the son of Quental – an elderly Portuguese gentleman who looked after the church and whom he had first met in November 1981 during Operation Daisy.

When De Vries returned with several other 61 Mech veterans for a visit in 2011, he learned that Quental had passed away. But he was not aware that Quental had a son or that he would be in the church to witness the return of the crucifix.

The wooden cross is not the only property that De Vries has facilitated being returned to the church. Following Operation Daisy, he discovered that several 61 Mech mechanics had taken an old pedal organ belonging to the Dorsland Trekkers – Boers who moved north to southern Angola in the late 19th and early 20th centuries – and some golden chalices from the church. These were later flown back to Mupa in a Puma helicopter.

After the service, the group contributed to a collection for the church. Father Renato said they wanted to replace the organ and do maintenance and repair work on the buildings.

Share article
Tags: South AfricaAngolaWooden crossFigure of ChristCommunity of MupaSouthern AngolaSouth African soldier
Previous Post

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush taken to hospital in Maine

Next Post

Mountaineer Vilane returns home after climbing Mount Everest

Related Posts

Kenya's President-elect William Ruto is seen speaking during an interview at ahis Karen residence in Nairobi, Kenya, July 20, 2022.

EFF appeals to Kenyans to protect their democracy

18 August 2022, 7:18 AM
Ghana's cedi currency has continued its steep decline since the July monetary policy meeting, losing more than 6% against the dollar on Wednesday alone, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

Ghana delivers biggest rate hike ever at emergency meeting

18 August 2022, 4:44 AM
Electric wires are pictured in Ojuelegba district in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos, Nigeria June 18, 2018.

Nigeria electricity workers suspend strike that caused blackout

17 August 2022, 11:22 PM
Germany's participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali

German troops spot Russian forces in Mali as French pull out: Document

17 August 2022, 5:44 PM
Kenya's president-elect William Ruto speaks during a news conference with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of East Africa in his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenya’s Ruto says no time to waste after election as rival prepares court challenge

17 August 2022, 3:35 PM
President João Lourenço, from the MPLA, is seeking a second five-year term but the main opposition party UNITA looks more popular than ever.

Angolans abroad to vote for first time, but wonder if it will change anything

17 August 2022, 3:12 PM
Next Post
Sibusiso Vilane climbed to 800 metres above sea level, or what’s known as the 'Death Zone' without supplementary Oxygen.

Mountaineer Vilane returns home after climbing Mount Everest

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Pick n Pay launches new supermarket brand
  • Public has two weeks to make comments on proposed changes to pension funds
  • Elon Musk says he is buying Manchester United
  • Home Affairs tightens rules on passport application to curb corruption
  • 14-year-old Eastern Cape learner facing arm amputation after allegedly taking COVID-19 vaccine
  • Home Affairs clamps down on passport fraud and introduces transit visas
  • Mogalakwena Municipality in Limpopo directed to terminate appointment of more than 400 workers
  • Pick n Pay launches new supermarket brand
  • Public has two weeks to make comments on proposed changes to pension funds
  • Elon Musk says he is buying Manchester United

LATEST

File image depicting handcuffs and police line.
  • South Africa

[WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT]: Two men burnt to death, one arrested following attempted kidnapping in Limpopo


Details of Rita Ndzanga's funeral are yet to be communicated.
  • Politics

Struggle veteran Rita Ndzanga passes away


A person opens a wallet with South African bank notes inside.
  • Uncategorized
  • Business

Cosatu says it will exhaust all options during wage talks before resorting to strike action


A view of the roof deck at Timber House, the city's first mass-timber condo building, in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, US, August 16, 2022.
  • Lifestyle

A tree (house) grows in Brooklyn; six-story apartment building has wooden beams


A SASSA card.
  • South Africa

More people to qualify for the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant


SABC building in Auckland Park.
  • South Africa

Parly’s Communications Committee hopes to appoint new SABC Board ‘within time’


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush taken to hospital in Maine
Next Mountaineer Vilane returns home after climbing Mount Everest