SA delegates detail horror experience during Global March to Gaza
The GMTG, was part of a global solidarity movement where on June 13, 2025, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'.
Image: Jimi Matthews/Facebook
SOUTH Africans taking part in the Global March to Gaza (GMTG) have recounted stories of intimidation including detention, and roadblocks by Egyptian authorities in their quest to highlight the plight of Palestinians.
Some of them started arriving on Monday with others expected on Tuesday.
The GMTG, a global solidarity movement where on Friday, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'.
However, several South African delegates were among those who claimed they were intimidated and had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities at various checkpoints during their journey.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
In a social media post over the weekend, former member of Parliament, and Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, who was among the SA delegation in attendance, explained that they were not allowed to proceed and were held for over six hours.
In an interview on Monday, head of SA delegation, Basheerah Soomar, said about 50 South Africans were part of the GMTC, and that their experience in Egypt had been an 'unwelcoming one, as some had already found themselves being detained upon arrival at the airport'.
'They tried to detain as many people coming in, but they couldn't prove why.'
Sommar said that as soon as the embassy opened, she spoke to the secretaries and the ambassador, so that they would be aware that people were coming.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said: 'Our embassy advised South African march participants that the area (near the crossing) was restricted and queried whether they had confirmation of authorisation from the authorities.
'This was not clear to the embassy during the initial engagements, and the participation proceeded.'
Phiri confirmed that full consular services were being rendered to citizens who came to Egypt.
Soomar said people were questioned at their hotels.
'Searching our phones and explicitly asking if we're joining the march. There was leaked info about which countries were staying where. They didn't take any South Africans into detention because they didn't have any evidence. We all prepared for that and cleared all our phones.'
Soomar said they also suspected being placed under surveillance.
'Every time we exited the hotel, we saw police. A lot of us were followed by people in plain clothing, but we knew that they were intelligence.'
Soomar claimed that passports had been confiscated.
She said the experience has been frustrating, but 'none of us have had time to process our emotions, as we're still in fight and flight mode'.
Despite the challenges, she said that the goal is to keep the focus on what is happening in Palestine.
'We just have to keep pushing like the Palestinians have been pushing for over a hundred years. We can't let it dishearten us...We'll use the lessons to mobilise again.'
Cape Times
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
24 minutes ago
- IOL News
South Africans in Iran urged to register with embassy for safety
Smoke billows for the second day from the Shahran oil depot, northwest of Tehran, on June 16. Image: AFP THE South African government has issued an important advisory to all its nationals currently residing or travelling in the Islamic Republic of Iran, urging them to immediately contact the South African Embassy in Tehran. This step is crucial to ensure that the Embassy is aware of their presence and can maintain up-to-date records of their whereabouts. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) highlighted in a statement this week that South Africa's ability to provide consular support in Iran remained significantly constrained. 'It is important to note that South Africa's support in that country is limited and that it could be assumed that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency, and the South African government may not be able to help you if you get into difficulty, depending on your location. 'Therefore, citizens are further encouraged to assess their own safety and security and act accordingly,' the statement warned This advisory comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions and mounting challenges within Iran. According to recent reports, Iran has been grappling with a combination of domestic unrest, economic hardship, and increasing international pressure. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The country has seen a rise in protests driven by economic grievances and political dissatisfaction, while ongoing international sanctions continue to strain its economy. These factors have contributed to a volatile environment that poses risks not only to Iranian citizens but also to foreign nationals living or visiting the country. In addition to the political and economic instability, there are concerns about the safety of expatriates due to unpredictable security developments, including heightened government crackdowns on dissent and potential disruptions to transport and communication networks. These conditions make it all the more important for South African citizens to remain vigilant, stay informed of local developments, and maintain regular contact with the embassy. Dirco advised all South African nationals in Iran to carefully assess their personal safety and security, consider their travel plans, and take necessary precautions.
IOL News
44 minutes ago
- IOL News
No delays in the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act: Gwarube's assurance
Department of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube insists that there have been no delays with any of the processes to implement the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and the drafting of the regulations. Image: Facebook Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube on Tuesday reiterated that there was no delay in the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act and the drafting of its regulations. Responding to questions in the Basic Education Portfolio Committee, Gwarube said she had on numerous occasions informed the committee and Parliament that the Bela Act was already enacted into law. 'The last time, in Parliament, I indicated that when the Act is signed into law, it comes into effect. There is no delay,' she said. This was after EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana said South Africans were confused about what was happening with regards with Bela Act and regulations. 'You are deliberately playing a political game and using delay tactics. No matter how smart you are to give us answers, the fact of the matter is that there is a serious deliberate delay in dealing with the regulations,' Shikwambana said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He wanted to know when the clauses in the Bela Act that deal with language and admissions will be fully implemented. 'We need those regulations. They must come and be published. If you have got them or published them elsewhere, can you furnish us with those regulations?' Shikwambana said. ANC MP Tshepo Louw wanted to know about the delays in the proclamation of the Bela Act's clauses on admission and language. Louw asked about the advice the State Law Advisor gave the department on the outstanding regulations and the status of the regulations. In her response, Gwarube said the two clauses of the Bela Act came into operation when the new law was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in December 2024. 'Those sections came into law last year already. There is no delay in implementing the Act itself or specific amendments. They are in the entirety of the law and remain law as we speak,' she said. Gwarube stated that the drafting of regulations was not a straightforward process. Last year, the department made a commitment that there would be guidelines while regulations were being drafted and then published for public comment in June 2025. 'The date, as we stand here, is June 17. We are about two weeks away from the end of June,' she said. 'I really do battle to understand the assertion and even the accusation that somehow there is a delay in the implementation of the Act and production of the regulations. We made a commitment last year that by the end of June, the regulations would be out and published for the public. We are not at the end of June.' Gwarube also said the drafting of the regulations was an intricate process. 'It is not done by the minister. It is done by the legal team within the department in conjunction with the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor. That is the legal process we must allow to take its course. The regulations don't delay the implementation of the Act. "The Act is in force and implementable. The regulations seek to give clarity on certain parts of the Act and how they should be implemented.' She also said she would not be tired of answering the same question repeatedly asked despite the accusations in relation to the two clauses of the Bela Act and the regulations. 'There has been absolutely no delay with any of these processes.' But, committee Chairperson Joy Maimela said they wanted to see the Bela Act in action as schools have started with the application process for next year's admissions. 'Where we are seated, we should invite the department to come and give an account of how many language policies they have seen and dealt with,' Maimela said.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Youth Month 2025: The Reversal of Democratic Gains in South Africa
The writer raises concerns about how the system has failed the youth as many are left jobless and have to fend for themselves. Image: File South Africa's democracy, born in 1994 amid hope and renewal, promised a future where every citizen could access opportunity, dignity, and prosperity. Yet, nearly three decades later, we face an alarming reality: the youth unemployment rate has soared to 46.1 percent among those aged 15 to 34. Nearly half of our young people are unemployed, their dreams deferred and potential wasted. This is the stark backdrop against which the current Government of National Unity—a coalition including the ANC, the Democratic Alliance, and others—is governing. Formed amid political tensions and aimed at fostering stability, this GNU promised collaborative governance and renewed focus on South Africa's challenges. But instead, the hard-won gains of democracy are being reversed. Coalition governments can offer a way forward in divided societies. But South Africa's current GNU risks becoming a symbol of political paralysis rather than progress. With competing party interests, policy disagreements, and fragile alliances, decisive action—especially on economic issues—has stalled. The youth, who stood to benefit most from this new political configuration, are bearing the brunt of this dysfunction. Instead of creating jobs, supporting skills development, and stimulating entrepreneurship, the coalition is mired in internal conflict, leading to delayed reforms and uncertainty that deter investment. High youth unemployment is more than a statistic; it represents a lost generation. It fuels poverty, crime, and social unrest, threatening the very stability the GNU seeks to uphold. The democratic promise of 'a better life for all' feels increasingly hollow when millions of young South Africans see no path forward. Furthermore, with corruption allegations still looming and governance challenges unresolved, public trust in both the ANC and the DA is eroding. The coalition's inability to present a unified and effective strategy undermines confidence in democracy itself. For the GNU to fulfil its mandate, it must prioritize youth empowerment through concrete action. Job creation programs targeting youth must be implemented with urgency, including public works and private sector incentives. Education and vocational training need substantial investment to align skills with market demands. Entrepreneurship and innovation must be promoted by reducing barriers for young business owners. Government transparency and accountability are essential to rebuild public trust. Most importantly, genuine cooperation among coalition partners is necessary to ensure policy coherence and swift implementation. South Africa's democratic journey is at a crossroads. The current GNU, with its promise of unity, must rise above political differences to address the crisis facing our youth. If the nearly 50 percent unemployment rate among young people continues unchecked, the gains of democracy will have been reversed, and social cohesion will be at are we really celebrating if the future of our youth—and thus the future of South Africa—is so uncertain? The time for decisive, inclusive, and visionary leadership is now. * Mayalo is an independent commentator and writer *** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
