Latest news with #Sooliman
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
National Dialogue: The role of NPA, Hawks, and SIU in combating corruption
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, CEO of Gift of the Givers and member of the Eminent Persons Group for the National Dialogue, says the country's pressing issues need to be addressed first for the dialogue to serve its purpose. Image: Simon Makadibodu/IOL Fighting corruption and giving the NPA, the Hawks and the SIU free rein to investigate corruption cases are some of the things Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, CEO of Gift of the Givers and member of the Eminent Persons Group for the National Dialogue, says must be addressed first for the dialogue to serve its purpose. Sooliman made the remarks on the sidelines of the National Convention for the National Dialogue at UNISA in Pretoria. President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the dialogue at UNISA's ZK Matthews Hall on Friday. Speaking to IOL News, Sooliman defended the dialogue against its critics. 'For me, this dialogue is very, very important. It's not run by the government. It's not run by politicians. It's run by civilians and civilians are now calling upon civilians to come and present their problems. But to be fair, most of us know the problems already,' he said. The dialogue has been mired in controversy, with several key figures and organisations withdrawing from the process, including former president Thabo Mbeki, multiple legacy foundations, civil society groups, and members of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Prominent organisations such as the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation cited concerns over the dialogue's implementation, a rushed timeline, and uncertainty. 'Why are we getting to the civilians? We are saying, cover the problems, but also let's find solutions within ourselves,' Sooliman said. He emphasised that the country belongs to all its people, not the government. 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 ✕ 'We all need to be patriots. We need to fix what we can on our own. Not that we're absorbing the government from their responsibility,' he said. 'But to be fair to the government, there's only 7.4 million taxpayers in this country. The taxes of 7.4 million people cannot look after 65 million people. It's impossible.' Sooliman said communities can take responsibility in certain areas. 'Simple things. They can assist with reducing gender-based violence. They can support and guide children with ethics, with values,' he said. 'The churches, the schools, the parents, the teachers can get involved. Guiding children to the right path like they did in the old days.' He added that such efforts would help reduce substance abuse, rampant crime and violence. 'Those things don't cost anything. It just requires an effort from the community to do that.' Addressing scepticism about the dialogue, he said the Eminent Persons Group had to ensure it serves its purpose. 'Because we are civilians and we have to write the narrative. Not the government telling us what to do. Us telling them what should be done.' Sooliman said accountability should be the starting point. 'Why is money spent in a certain way? Why is it that money is returned to the fiscus from different departments, from municipalities, from different ministries? Why is it not returned when it's supposed to be spent in the interest of the people? Why don't we have enough trained, skilled people to make a decision?' He said skilled professionals were needed to run the country like a corporate entity. 'People have been battling for too long. Pre-1994 and post-1994, it's 30 years. It's a very, very long time,' he said. He stressed the need to act quickly. 'And as our job, as an eminent persons group, is to see that that happens. We have to fight crime and corruption. Give the NPA, the Hawks, the SIU free rein. Don't make a phone call and say, hey, don't investigate this one. Please take those dockets away.' The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Hawks and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have faced allegations of political interference in investigations. 'That has to stop. People have to be free. Make sure there's a conviction,' Sooliman said.
Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Eminent Persons Group — National Dialogue could deliver the SA that we deserve
Charity founder Imtiaz Sooliman and fellow Eminent Persons Group members urge South Africans to look beyond cynicism, saying the talks could be a turning point. Gift of the Givers founder and Eminent Persons Group (EPG) member Dr Imtiaz Sooliman says he is optimistic about the National Dialogue. He told Daily Maverick that although there was 'lots of negativity and pessimism' about the proliferation of dialogues, discussions and committees set up to address the country's concerns, he was 'very encouraged' because he knows 'there's a willingness to help fix the system'. He noted that the legacy foundations that withdrew from the process did not pull out of the National Dialogue itself, but rather from the Preparatory Task Team (PTT) and the National Convention. 'To me that's a damn good sign,' Sooliman said, adding that a difference of opinion and ideas is often a 'great thing'. 'When you have disagreement, when you have some 'conflict', when you have a difference of ideas, it means there's a willingness for dialogue to find a solution. So if these things didn't happen, I would've got worried,' he said. 'To me, it is an excellent thing that this has happened, and now there should be a willingness to find each other again.' Most South Africans know what the country's problems are, according to Sooliman. But he views his role in the National Dialogue as part of 'challenging the government on what they're not doing right, and asking the citizens what's wrong'. 'This National Dialogue, or the Eminent Persons Group, must have the power to tell the government: 'You need to go and ask that municipal manager why this was not done and how soon can we implement it?' 'But, if we listen to people's problems and do nothing about it, we might as well go home and sleep – we're wasting our time. 'There's a lot of things citizens can fix themselves. When I say this, what I'm calling for is patriotism. We have to understand that the only way this country can work is if we make it work together. There's no other way of doing this. But this is not [letting] the government off the hook.' Change through conflict Sooliman is one of the members of the Eminent Persons Group, including Professor Tinyiko Maluleke and Roelf Meyer, who told Daily Maverick that they understand the cynicism towards the National Dialogue announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but that they regard it as a powerful and necessary step towards real change. Ramaphosa called in June for an inclusive National Dialogue – a people-led, society-wide process to reflect, reset and reimagine South Africa's future, saying that it was 'a chance for all South Africans, from all walks of life, to come together and help shape the next chapter of our democracy'. As the National Convention begins on Friday, leaders of the EPG say it is a potential turning point for the country, but only if citizens move beyond cynicism and reclaim their role in shaping the nation's future. The convention, a precursor to the National Dialogue, will take place in Pretoria over the weekend. It comes while unemployment and crime rates remain high, and public trust in institutions and democratic processes is rapidly declining. Maluleke, co-chair of the EPG appointed by Ramaphosa to guide the National Dialogue, said growing cynicism among citizens was entirely justified given how often people had been failed over the past 30 years. 'The cynicism that is emerging is quite understandable. There are deep, deep levels of frustration across the board. But I would like to suggest that precisely because of these frustrations and the cynicism, we need a National Dialogue… 'It's like job-hunting for years – giving up isn't an option,' he said. 'We must keep pushing. We deserve the country promised in the National Development Plan, the country Mandela spoke of in his inaugural address.' Pushback The dialogue has already faced pushback, with some organisations pulling out of the convention just days before it starts. They have raised concerns about 'cutting corners' and rushing to host the convention on 15 August. The National Convention will 'set a broad agenda and fine-tune the process for public engagements', according to the PTT. Hundreds of community meetings are due to take place all over the country during the dialogue process. Groups such as the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation cited a long list of issues, from the tight timeline and lack of preparation to internal disagreements in the PTT and what they see as too much government control. There has also been growing resistance from political parties, including the DA, the second-largest party in the government of national unity, which has withdrawn from the process. Despite concerns that the government rather than the people are driving the process, former politician and Codesa negotiator Roelf Meyer has insisted that everyone must be allowed to speak freely, even if it means criticising politicians or government. 'There will be no holy cows. What we are saying as the EPG is that people must be free, must be allowed to speak their minds, and must not be prevented from expressing whatever they feel,' said Meyer, who, with Maluleke, is co-chair of the EPG. The initiative, intended to address some of South Africa's most urgent problems, from poor governance to gender-based violence, faced swift criticism, largely because of its reported R740-million cost. The Presidency has since disputed the figure, saying the budget has not been finalised. Although the EPG is not involved in the administration of the process, it has raised concerns about the figure and the lack of transparency surrounding it. In a statement on Thursday, 14 August, the Presidency said the convention would be funded by Nedlac and the Presidency. It reiterated that all procurement and public funds used would adhere to the Public Finance Management Act. Meyer said: 'If that figure is accurate, I am deeply worried. There is no justification for such a high amount. It sounds highly speculative to me.' He said the process could be carried out far more affordably. 'If South Africans come together, this can be done at a much lower cost. Our work as the EPG is voluntary. It is a service to the country.' Maluleke said that although the EPG was concerned about the cost of the convention, nothing appeared insurmountable for the dialogue to continue. From talk to action Another EPG member, activist Professor Nomboniso Gasa, highlighted the state's failure to tackle many pressing problems. 'Over time, we have seen the inability of the state to deal with some of the issues on the table. Part of this national effort to come together is to share what we think are possible solutions.' Using unemployment as an example, she said: 'We know the figures, but there are many related challenges that come from the lived experience of being unemployed. Some of these may be addressed even without new jobs being created. 'For instance, when you are poor and unemployed, everyday life costs a lot, so we need to look at those issues and find intermediate solutions while job creation remains a goal.' Gasa maintained that the process would not just be talk: 'This process is not just about reiterating the problems or assessing the situation, it's about figuring out together where we are as a nation and what we need to address moving forward.' The beginning, not the end Maluleke cautioned against thinking of the dialogue as something with a complete product at the end. 'It is a journey that is being started on Friday. That journey, in and of itself, is part of what we want to achieve, because we want to enable South Africans to be heard, to speak out, to unburden and to talk from their own perspective. 'For too long, we've had organisations, parliamentarians and politicians and people who speak good English speaking on their behalf, and we have now reached a stage where the vast majority of South Africans don't feel represented by any of the above,' Maluleke said. During his February 2022 State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa promised that a new social compact would be completed within 100 days, which has not yet happened. At least two frameworks of the social compact have been drafted since 2022. They include priority actions to boost investment and growth, increase employment, allow increased private sector participation in the economy and expand welfare support for the unemployed. However, some draft frameworks have been rejected by organised business and labour. Big business has argued that there are too many priorities in the framework and they are too fragmented. Labour representatives believed that the draft social compact framework did not go far enough in protecting workers' rights, removing unfair labour practices and protecting workers' wages from the rising cost of living. Maluleke was critical of the National Development Plan and what it has not been able to achieve. 'Of course, the social compact is important because the notion of a social compact is one where the stakeholders and the participants will hold one another to account about what they have come to agree about, and so one hopes the social compact will feed into the next major plan of the country. 'This is at a time when the plans that we have on the table either do not seem to have worked or we have not been able to implement them as rigorously, as consistently and as coherently as we were supposed to,' Maluleke added. Meyer expressed similar views, emphasising that a social compact is essential to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans. He expressed support for establishing a monitoring system to ensure that the dialogue is not another talk show. What DM readers say they want from the talks Economy and jobs: 'Heal the economy, or we all sink!' 'We need an economic Codesa – we need economic growth and jobs for millions of people.' 'It's all about jobs. Getting people to work, bringing money into the economy and growing the country.' 'Unemployment – how to create a favourable environment for investors.' End corruption and hold leaders accountable: 'Get rid of corruption, crime and Cyril.' 'Corruption and organised crime are killing this country.' 'Clean government. Prosecute all the thieves.' 'Accountability from bureaucrats.' Scrap race-based policies: 'Scrap BEE, employment equity and all that goes with it.'| 'BBBEE, cadre deployment and corruption have all contributed to our failing economy.' 'Get rid of racialism and treat everyone as a person in their own right.' Crime and law enforcement: 'Treat farm murders as a priority crime.' 'Educate our police force and justice department to ensure that criminal activities have serious consequences.' 'Prosecute Julius Malema for hate speech.' Governance and service delivery: 'Address the absolute chaos in most municipalities.' 'Employ fewer soft-skilled officials and more engineers, town planners, technical staff and bookkeepers.' 'All tender documents must be open and transparent.' Education and skills: 'School inspectors must be reinstated.' 'Technical colleges must be brought back to train artisans.' 'Career guidance must start at primary school.' Practical policy changes: 'The cost of electricity for prepaid meter users must be fair.' 'Jobs must be created in rural towns to curb the influx into cities.' This is a selection of comments from readers on the Daily Maverick website, summarised with the aid of ChatGPT. Reader results: have you heard about the National Dialogue? 34% Yes, I'm following it 61% Yes, but not interested 1% No, haven't heard 4% Not sure/need more info. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
IOL News
19-06-2025
- IOL News
Gift of the Givers threatened by ‘water mafia' while providing aid to Eastern Cape flood victims
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, humanitarian and founder of Gift of the Givers, is undeterred by the threats by they received from the "water mafia" while providing aid-relief to the Eastern Cape's flood victims. Image: Armand Hough/ Independent Newspapers IT SEEMS that "water mafia's" greed knows no bounds, not even the devastating floods that claimed the lives of 90 people in the Eastern Cape can melt their hearts. This after humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers' volunteers were intimidated while delivering essential water supplies to the affected residents of Mthatha. In the wake of the intimidation the organisation's drivers had endured, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, the founder and chairman of Gift of the Givers, fired back at the perpetrators saying that they were "not afraid", and they would continue to serve the needs of community, with the backing of the government and communities. Sooliman detailed the alarming encounters faced by their drivers who were met with threats while transporting much-needed water. 'Given the hardships and difficulties of the people and the fact that 90 people have passed on, the behaviour of the water mafia is totally disgusting,' he declared. 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 Gift of the Givers teams are now being escorted by police and security officials when delivering water to residents in Mthatha. Image: Gift of the Givers Dr Sooliman appreciates the swift action taken by the South African Police Service (SAPS), which provided a convoy escort—flanked by police vehicles both in front of and behind the charity's water tankers—to ensure safe passage for their operations. 'The situation has completely calmed down. However, we are calling on the community of Mthatha to help us locate a black Toyota Fortuner from which the threat was made; this person needs to be arrested,' he urged. In a bold statement, Sooliman addressed the perpetrators directly, declaring, 'This is a message to all water mafia: we will take you on wherever you are. Gift of the Givers is not afraid of anyone. We have the support of the government, SAPS, SANDF, and above all, we have the support of the communities and the municipalities.' He expressed resolve against those who exploit others' suffering and insisted that 'profiteering from the hardships of people has to stop.' The situation drew the attention of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who reacted strongly to the intimidation tactics targeted at Gift of the Givers. He stated, 'It is alleged that members of a so-called 'water mafia' reportedly linked to service providers contracted by the OR Tambo District Municipality threatened Gift of the Givers staff as they distributed clean drinking water to residents impacted by the recent floods.' During a recent visit to Mthatha, Mchunu expressed gratitude to the police for their efforts during the crisis and firmly condemned any attempts to obstruct humanitarian work. 'The police will not tolerate any attempt to intimidate or obstruct those who are working tirelessly to save lives and bring relief to our people,' he asserted. Mchunu noted that any attack on Gift of the Givers was not merely an attack on an organisation but on the very values of Ubuntu that underpin South African society. Further emphasising the commitment to public safety, the Minister assured that law enforcement would act decisively against these threats and also revealed disturbing reports of theft targeting the homes of flood victims. 'We have also been made aware of individuals who go to the homes of those who lost their lives due to these floods, with a view to committing acts of theft,' he warned. Police forces are deployed to ensure the safety of these properties and safeguard the dignity of the deceased and their families. Dr Sooliman welcomed the backing from the Minister and reiterated the significant need for supportive community action to curb such heinous behaviour. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
18-06-2025
- IOL News
Gift of the Givers faces intimidation from 'water mafia' during flood relief efforts
Gift of the Givers teams are now being escorted to deliver water to residents in Mthatha. Image: Gift of the Givers Humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers, which has been pivotal in assisting those affected by the floods in the Eastern Cape, are being intimidated by 'water mafia'. Speaking to IOL, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder and chairman of Gift of the Givers, said members of the 'water mafia' have been trying to intimidate its drivers while delivering life-saving water to the people of Mthatha who have been severely affected by the recent floods. 'Given the hardships and difficulties of the people and the fact that 90 people have passed on, the behaviour of the water mafia is totally disgusting. We appreciate the fact that the SAPS acted immediately by sending out a convoy (vehicle in front and behind) our water tankers. The situation has completely calmed down. However, we are calling on the community of Mthatha to help us locate a black [Toyota] Fortuner. It is the Fortuner from which the threat was made; this person needs to be arrested,' Dr Sooliman said. He also issued a stern warning for the 'water mafia'. Humanitarian and founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman. Image: Armand Hough/ Independent Newspapers 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 ✕ 'This is a message to all water mafia: we will take you on wherever you are. Gift of the Givers is not afraid of anyone. We have the support of the government, SAPS, SANDF, and above all, we have the support of the communities and the municipalities. When it comes to assisting people in dire need, as is the case in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, this kind of heinous behaviour has to stop. Profiteering from the hardships of people has to stop. We hope we are provided support in all areas where the water mafia is capitalising,' he said. Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, also strongly condemns the threats and intimidation directed at Gift of the Givers. 'It is alleged that members of a so-called 'water mafia' reportedly linked to service providers contracted by the OR Tambo District Municipality, threatened Gift of the Givers staff as they distributed clean drinking water to residents impacted by the recent floods,' Mchunu said. Mchunu was in Mthatha at the weekend to engage with and thank members of the SAPS for their efforts during the floods, which have, to date, claimed 90 lives and displaced hundreds more. 'The police will not tolerate any attempt to intimidate or obstruct those who are working tirelessly to save lives and bring relief to our people. Gift of the Givers has consistently been a source of hope and dignity to South Africans in their hour of need. Any attack on them is an attack on the very principle of Ubuntu. No individual or group will be allowed to profiteer off disaster or compromise the safety and well-being of our people. Law enforcement will act decisively,' Mchunu said. He further stated the SAPS will ensure the safety of all humanitarian workers in the area and hold those responsible fully accountable under the law. 'We have also been made aware of individuals who go to the homes of those who lost their lives due to these floods, with a view to committing acts of theft from these homes. Police have been deployed to ensure the safety of the property of the deceased,' Mchunu added. Dr Sooliman welcomed the backing by the minister. IOL
Daily Maverick
14-05-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
From ruins to resilience: Gazan medical students triumph against adversity in South Africa
Twenty-seven students from Gaza will be heading back home after arriving in 2024 to complete their practicals for medical studies at UCT and Wits university following the destruction of their medical schools during the Gaza war. Twenty-seven final-year medical students from Al-Azhar University and Islamic University in Gaza were displaced from their universities after they were destroyed by Israeli missiles. But the students turned tragedy to triumph and have managed to complete their studies through the University of Cape Town (UCT, 25) and University of the Witswatersand (Wits, 2). The students arrived in South Africa in 2024 to complete their medical studies in order to graduate. Most of the students managed to escape to Egypt through the Rafa border to get to South Africa. Their faculty deans had made arrangements with universities in South Africa to help the students complete their studies. On 3 May 2025, Gift of the Givers, a non-profit organisation, bade farewell to the students at UCT after a dinner was held to celebrate their milestone after facing hardship and defying the odds by completing their studies despite being away from their families in Gaza for months. Gift of the Givers co-founder Zohra Sooliman told Daily Maverick that many doctors had been killed and hospitals were being targeted during the war in Gaza, and that these students would be the future when the war ended. She said the organisation approached donors and sponsors to fund the students, who then ended up staying at a nearby accommodation to the UCT campus and hospital. However, Sooliman says they faced a big challenge. 'The practical part they were going to do, they did that for all the hospitals in Cape Town and the clinics. But the theory part for the final year, they were still doing online with their home university, and that was a challenge for them. For example, in theory they'd probably be doing something like surgery, but in the hospitals in Cape Town they were probably doing their obstetrics and gynaecology,' said Sooliman. 'When they came here, it was a whole adjustment. We speak 11 languages in our country. We are a rainbow nation made up of so many different things such as race groups, ethnicity, culture. We are so different, and for them coming from a country where there's a homogeneous society, it was new,' she said. Missing families in Gaza Sooliman said that it was not easy for the students because they felt guilty for leaving their families behind while they were safe studying in South Africa. 'At the back of their minds was a consistent worry about the safety of their families, whether they were being fed, out there in the cold… They suffered from a guilt complex, where they were feeling guilty that they were fine but their families were not,' said Sooliman. However, despite the difficulties faced by the students, Sooliman said they showed determination and courage to complete their studies in a foreign country. At their celebration and farewell day, the students wore graduation gowns and hoods sporting Palestinian colours; on the scrolls was an oath that the students took that was presented by the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa. 'So for me it was not just about achieving a degree academically. It was much more than that. For me it was a show of determination, perseverance, patience, strength, courage and resilience. Despite everything they pushed through, and that's why I am so proud of them,' said Sooliman. The students have few theory exams left, but they have completed their practicals. According to Sooliman, some have left the country already and a few will depart for Gaza in the coming days. DM
