The Mandela name is recognised the world over and associated with the noble fight for freedom, equality and dignity of the oppressed. Nelson Mandela transcended his rural roots and ascended the global stage as a symbol of freedom never to be forgotten. That’s his place in not only South African history but all of humanity.
There must have been a time when his and his people’s struggle would have appeared to be in vain, a lost cause facing insurmountable odds against an enemy that would have appeared at times not ready to yield an inch to a just and noble fight for freedom, equality and human dignity. We all know and cherish how the story ended eventually, and a nation on the southernmost country on this continent will forever be grateful for what was achieved through the Struggle.
The hallowed name was back in international headlines again this week when the great man’s grandson was among a group of activists in a flotilla that was attempting to take humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinians in Gaza, who face daily bombardment by the evil state of Israel
Israel has barricaded the Gaza Strip and doesn’t allow any supplies to reach the hapless people it is no doubt trying to eliminate from the area in which befits the description of genocide. Part of the strategy is to deny them food and other humanitarian supplies that would make their lives a tad more bearable in the face of a daily shower of bombs.
The plight and cries of the Palestinians cannot go unheard and would have touched human rights activists worthy of the label anywhere in the world. Among them was Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, who has assumed the chieftainship that his great-grandfather lost and his grandfather forsook to answer a higher calling. The younger Mandela joined hands and added his voice to those seeking to help Palestinians in their hour of need. He joined the aid flotilla that dared to challenge the Israeli blockade.
They were duly abducted by the Israelis as anticipated; Mandela had pre-recorded a video, calling his nation into action and ramping up pressure against Israel should they be captured.
Many questioned the wisdom of endangering lives in such a manner, but how else can the Palestinian cause be helped?
Well, Israel duly rounded up the 436 people on the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Mandela and members of the media, and announced that it would deport them to an unnamed European country, all the while continuing to bomb Gaza City, leaving at least 49 people dead as reported by Al Jazeera late on Friday afternoon.
The number of Palestinians killed since Israel started the bombardment stands at more than 66 000, with just under 170 000 wounded. According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 42 000 people have suffered “life-changing injuries”, maimed for life by an evil regime. We condemn Israel for this and reiterate the right of the people of Palestine to exist peacefully in their own state alongside Israel. The two-state solution as per a UN resolution and the Oslo Accord of 1993.
