WeeklySA_AdminDEAL: The return on Wednesday of six South African activists, including Mandla Mandela, after aborted Gaza humanitarian aid mission coincides with Trump’s Israel-Palestinian ceasefire announcement…
By Own Correspondents
Six South African activists, who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza, returned to a hero’s welcome to South Africa on Wednesday – just hours before US President Donald Trump announced that Hamas and Israel agreed to the Gaza ceasefire deal.
Trump hailed the long awaited agreement, though many pointed out that reaching an agreement had been a central promise of his election campaign, so this outcome was much delayed.
Meanwhile, Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, received a hero’s welcome at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg – along with award-winning writer Zukiswa Wanner and activists Reaaz Moolla, Dr Zaheera Soomar, Dr Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver, who had taken part in a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. They were among more than 400 activists detained by the Israeli navy, including Greta Thunberg.
The six South Africans touched down after almost a week of captivity in Israel. They were welcomed by a crowd of family and supporters waving Palestinian flags. They had been released and deported to Jordan early this week after being detained for several days following international pressure.
“We were intercepted in international waters which is a violation of international law, maritime law, and a violation of our human rights,” said Mandela.
Mandela explained how they had been subjected to abuse and humiliation by Israeli officials. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had accused them of terrorism, he said.
Hendricks said rifles had been pointed at their heads by soldiers and her headscarf had been“violently ripped” from her head by Israeli officials. She was not allowed to wear her headscarf while incarcerated.
While they were relieved to be home, they said they would be willing to join future attempts to bring aid to Gaza.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in securing the activists’ release. “We appreciate the cooperation and coordination, both domestically and internationally, that ensured the safe return of our citizens,” Lamola said.
Meanwhile the official death toll has jumped from about 47 000, when the first ceasefire came into effect in January 2025, to over 67 200 since the genocide resumed.
Recalling their ordeal, Soomar said: “I don’t think any of us have a single regret for joining the Global Sumud Flotilla. It was a very difficult journey but it is nothing compared to what the people in Gaza are facing. Even in our hardest moments we felt that this is exactly where we needed to be. Yes, we will commit to another mission again, because until the genocide is ended we will not stop”.
The flotilla, which was intercepted in international waters, sought to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.
The South African government has reiterated its commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Palestine. The flotilla’s interception has drawn renewed attention to Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza.
Meanwhile, mass protests have continued to erupt across the world in solidarity with the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and to demand the release of activists detained by Israel. Demonstrations were held in Spain, Italy, France, Romania, and the Netherlands, as thousands called for an end to the blockade on Gaza and for the immediate release of those on board the flotilla.
The wave of global mobilisation comes amid South Africa’s heightened diplomatic and legal efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. Earlier this year, South Africa brought a case before the International Court of Justice on Israel committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. – Reports by People’s Despatch, GroundUp and Weekly SA Mirror
