Cape Town – Emotions ran high on Sunday, as families re-united with loved ones who finally arrived back home after a gruelling evacuation operation from conflict-stricken Sudan.
A flight carrying 53 evacuees from Egypt landed at the OR Tambo International Airport before midday, reports said.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor expressed delight at the return of the citizens.
“We thought that it is important that the people of South Africa see that all the nationals of South Africa that had indicated that they wish to return home are back home. We just want South Africa to be assured because all of us have been waiting for you to come back. We’re absolutely happy that able to return home safely,” SA News quoted Pandor as saying.
She was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Thandi Modise.
#SudanUpdate | South Africans returning home from Sudan, received by Ministers Naledi Pandor, Aaron Motsoaledi and Thandi Modise. The relieved citizens landed at OR Tambo International Airport today, Sunday, 30 April 2023. pic.twitter.com/anQX2KijCJ
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) April 30, 2023
South African citizens were stranded in Sudan after the unrest began two weeks ago. The South African government worked closely with neighbouring countries as well as the South African NGO, Gift of the Givers, to ensure the safe return of citizens.
According to EWN, as one of the evacuees walked through the arrivals terminal, she noticed her father and ran into his arms. They embraced, both in tears.
Her father said it had been over a year since he last laid eyes on her.
“For a year now, she’s been teaching in Sudan. But last week I had difficulty to get hold of her and it’s been a long time not seeing her,” the report quoted the father as saying.
Scores of people anxiously waiting for their loved ones to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport from war-torn Sudan on Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/GVIzUf6klt
— Rorisang Kgosana (@therealrorisang) April 30, 2023
Pandor said a lot of organisation went into bringing home the country’s citizens.
“We had a joint committee that worked on evacuations,” she said of the committee made up of various government departments
In addition to the 51 citizens who arrived on Sunday, a Lesotho national and a Zimbabwean national were also on board the flight, bringing the number of those evacuated from Sudan to 53.
On Saturday, 10 South Africans returned home.
Pandor said she was concerned about the people of Sudan amid the ongoing conflict.
“We as government hope that we can play some role in bringing peace back to Sudan, because I don’t think we should dessert the people of Sudan. It is in South Africa’s policy that we must try wherever we can on our continent to silence the guns.
“We are unhappy when we see people suffering and so we will try to make every effort to really engage with the current conflict party in Sudan to persuade them to lay down arms to persuade them to work for peace,” she said
“We are really happy that you’re back home,” said the minister who was flanked by fellow Cabinet ministers. The Minister was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister, Dr, Aaron Motsoaledi and Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Thandi Modise.
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Picture: Twitter/@Dirco_ZA
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
