'Palestinians will have freedom in their lifetime'

Nelson Mandela's grandson made an address to hundreds of people from more than 40 countries at the launch of the Global Sumud Flotilla

- Hasina Kathrada

ahead of his departure on a boat carrying internationally recognised activists such as Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela's grandson stood before a crowd of journalists and campaigners earlier this week and summoned a memory that still shapes South Africa's conscience.

Mandla Mandela recalled the years when this country was an outcast, kept alive by global solidarity. Now, he said, the same must be done for Palestine.

He spoke to hundreds of people from more than 40 countries who had gathered for the launch of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a nonviolent civilian mission preparing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The South African delegation, comprising nine other activists, was among those in the crowd.

Mandela reminded the gathering that history is not only written by governments and armies, but by people who refuse to look away.

“Over 40 ships from 44 countries have now joined this effort,” he said. “We will not fail where others have been blocked by land or by air. Our mission is simple. To get humanitarian aid into Gaza and ensure it reaches its intended beneficiaries.

“The Palestinians will realise their freedom in their lifetime, just as South Africans did in ours.”

For Mandela, the lesson of Madiba’s generation was clear: “My grandfather said we could either submit to occupation or resist.”