“She’s very sad because the babies didn’t get their formula, the children of Gaza are still starving. Mothers like me are still crying to feed their children.”

These were the relieved words of a mother, Gadija Ahjum, finally hearing the voice of her daughter who was detained and kept at Ktzi’ot prison.

Emotional reunion

After enduring four days of lost contact, she called her mother back to say that she is safe and coming back home.

Her daughter, 22-year old Ottery resident Hajar Kagiso Al–Tha’irah Ahjum–Mathee, was among a group South African delegates delivering humanitarian aid aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in the Mediterranean Sea when it was intercepted by the Israeli navy on Monday 18 May.

The flotilla is a civilian-led humanitarian mission aimed at delivering aid, including baby formula and medical supplies, to Gaza in defiance of a blockade in force by the navy.

Recently, it was announced that all detained flotilla activists were being released from Ktzi’ot prison and were calling on the public to help welcome them home on Saturday 23 May at OR Tambo International Airport or Cape Town International Airport in a flyer, published by the GSF.

On Thursday evening 21 May, Ahjum said her daughter called from a stranger’s phone briefly saying: “Mommy, Mommy, this is proof of life!”

Ahjum–Mathee and her crew had to throw their cellphone overboard after the interception.

They were issued one phone so they could contact their families,”Ahjum added.

During the call, she informed her mother that she was travelling to the hospital to have their medicals and check-ups done.

“They needed to go for check-ups, they were subjected to severe violence by the occupation forces, these enemies of humanity, but the cause must go on,” said Ahjum.

Humanitarian mission

The day the news spread of the flotilla activists release, Ahjum–Mathee published a video confirming she was alive and well despite having “a few bruises”.

“To hear Hajar is coming home we are very happy, but the bigger cause they went there for, must still go on. Palestine must be free. They are still waiting for their humanitarian aid. After the activists had done their medicals we heard that they were going to be accommodated at a hotel in Turkey before they fly for Johannesburg. They are bruised and the extent of their injuries vary, but they are more committed than ever that this illegal siege on Gaza be broken and that humanitarian aid must go through,” Ahjum explained.

She recalled her daughters extensive journey into activism and their family life.

Ahjum–Mathee is also a postgraduate student at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

She recalled how the family had often attended the annual Al Quds (Islamic name for Jerusalem) marches during Ramadaan since Ahjum–Mathee was a baby.

Journey into activism

“My daughter comes from a family that has always been vocal when it comes to justice and the sacredness of human life and dignity. Her father and I took our children to the marches in their prams. That’s how they have grown up.”

Over the years her daughter’s activism intensified during her years at university, where she became deeply involved in humanitarian and solidarity campaigns.

“She says what she’s doing is the ‘bare minimum’. She has gone far beyond anything we have ever done.”

Ahjum-Mathee said she initially had no idea her daughter had applied to join the flotilla.

“It’s quite a rigorous process. They don’t just accept people randomly because of the nature of the mission. When she eventually told me she had been accepted I was shocked. It wasn’t made public for security reasons.”

However, the day she saw her daughter detained after their flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli navy on Monday 18 May remains a haunting memory.

“We saw Hajar on the boat as it was happening and it’s one of those moments one should never have to see as a mother or a parent.”

The family watched the interception unfold live while speaking to her on the phone.

“We were reading prayers and the Qur’an with her as it was happening. She told us if communication suddenly went silent it would be because they had flung their phones overboard.”

Global solidarity

The university has since voiced strong support for Ahjum–Mathee and the other detained delegates.

UWC spokesperson Gasant Abarder confirmed the university was aware of the flotilla incident.

“As you can imagine, it is rather difficult to make contact directly with the student at the moment. There are academics on campus who are close to her and who continue providing updates.”

The university issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to human rights, dignity and global justice while calling for the safe release of all detained participants.

The Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice also publicly backed the UWC Palestinian Solidarity Association and called for the immediate release of Ahjum–Mathee and the other delegates.
Quoting Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the centre stated: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

The South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP) condemned the reported detention of the flotilla activists and called on the South African government to intervene.

Prof Kelly Gillespie of UWC’s Department of Anthropology described Ahjum–Mathee as “one of the most committed, principled and joyful students” she had worked with.

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