Fallen Black Soldiers Honored at Last

South Africa has finally officially honored 1,772 black soldiers who fell during the First World War. In a ceremony, the military personnel's memory was hailed when a number of pillars made of African mahogany and with the fallen's names engraved were unveiled in Cape Town.

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Fallen Black Soldiers Honored at Last
Photo: Nardus Engelbrecht/AP/TT

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No one knows where they are buried, many of their names had been forgotten, but through diligent research work, they have been given a monument of restored pillars on a grass area. Amidst the pillars, there is a granite block with the inscription "Your heritage is preserved here".

The men were part of a military group from Cape Town that primarily operated in war zones in Namibia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, several of the regions that were previously German colonies. They were not allowed to carry weapons due to their skin color, but participated with support on the Entente's side, primarily under British command, at the fronts.

This guarantees that the names and stories of those who fell will exist as an echo of history for future generations, said British Princess Anne at the ceremony.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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