A few days ago, South Africa celebrated Freedom Day… Whether they chose not to acknowledge the day, celebrated it with family or exercised their democratic right to protest against President Jacob Zuma, the operative word here is that they “chose” what to do. South Africans have political freedom which is a gateway to basic human rights and fair legislation.
A stark contrast to what Palestinians are objected to. While political and international conventions go back and forth debating whether Israel is an apartheid state, the treatment of Palestinians in Israel tells a harrowing story of blatant discrimination, oppression and inhumane acts.
On the 16th of April, about 1,500 Palestinian prisoners went on a hunger strike, echoing demands that align with basic human rights; proper medical treatment, visitation rights and an end to the abusive treatment. Political prisoners are being detained without charge or trial.
Activists all over the world and former Robben Island political prisoners in South Africa have since joined the hunger strike. The Kathrada Foundation released a statement calling on South Africans and people around the world to join the hunger strike in solidarity with Palestine.
According to the Kathrada Foundation, ordinary Palestinians will partake in a mass hunger strike for 24 hours on the 15th and 16th of May – a global day of action! Pickets are going to be set up in the nine provinces of South Africa outside legislative buildings to appeal to the government to share in the solidarity and put more pressure on Israel.
The oppression of Palestinians should appeal to every South African’s humanity. As a country that ran away from apartheid only 23 years ago, we have a long way to go in completely eradicating Apartheid structures, however we have a duty to honour the little freedom that we do have and to fight against apartheid systems that still linger.
This is also a call for the youth, the born frees, this is what you were born free for, to fight. To make sure that nations are protected against acts of inhumanities. To fix injustices. To use your free voice to chant and march until apartheid and its legacy are completely eradicated. We were born into revolutionary bloodline, we must show it.
May the resilient spirit of the youth of 1976 and the courage of Kalushi Mahlangu guide your conscience. Join the fight!
Global action dates: 15 May and 16 May
Strength and solidarity to Palestinians!
