South African students who were stranded in the war-torn Ukraine, are back home. The students arrived at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg just after 11:00. The students were caught between the shelling by Russian forces and struggling to get assistance back home. There are still 15 students who have not made their way back yet.
Members from the Department of International Relations have made their way to meet with the students at the airport as they arrive back home. There has been criticism over the department not doing enough to get students back.
Clayson Monyela from the Department of International Relations said some of the other students will be making their way back in the coming days.
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Tinyiko Malubanya, a family member of one of the students arriving back, has expressed how excited she is to see her cousin. One of the students who landed thanked Andre Groeneveld, the South African Ambassador, for getting them through the border of Hungary. This helped them find flights which got them back to OR Tambo Airport.
Kaone Molefe, a South African citizen who was in Ukraine, landed at OR Tambo on Monday and thanked the Pakistani government which helped him get back to the country. Molefe said: “There was no monetary assistance from the South African embassy. To be honest, I made my way through. I connected myself through various organisations. I just want to applaud the Pakistani government, because I met a Pakistani resident who helped me navigate and connect with all these missionaries.”
Source: Newzroom Afrika, IOL, Image from IOL
