The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is hosting a public event titled “Hear the Harrowing Testimonies” on Saturday 13 June at Ashley Kriel Hall in Salt River, Cape Town.

The gathering will provide a platform for South African Global Sumud Flotilla activists to share their experiences following a mission undertaken in solidarity with the Palestinian people 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 enforced by the navy.

Participants who took part will brief guests on the experiences in detention and treatment by Israeli forces during their journey.

Harrowing journey

Some of activists have described their experiences as traumatic and say the events strengthened their commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights and international solidarity.

Among those expected to speak are fellow activists: Faizel Moosa, Qutb Hendricks, Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha’irah, Faeek Ariefdien, and Dr. Fatima Hendricks.

Hajar recalled the psychological and physical toll of her humanitarian mission to Gaza with People’s Post this week.

The 22-year-old Ottery resident and University of the Western Cape (UWC) postgraduate, who is pursuing a Master’s degree in Bioscience at UWC.

Despite the terror of the interception at sea, Mathee said an overwhelming sense of courage calmed her that moment.

“Seconds before interception there was a little fear, sure, but mostly calm filled with courage, something I learned from Palestinians,” she said.

Her homecoming at the airport “had its challenges” but she says she is grateful to be home again.

“We all come back with various levels of trauma but we have been receiving all the necessary help that we need. I’ve been quite fortunate to have had various platforms welcome me to speak, such as delivering the pre-Khutbah talk at the Ahlul-bayt mosque in Ottery,” she said.

She says it’s important to continue to receive these platforms and keep talking about the Palestinian struggle.

Food drive

The event will also launch a non-perishable food drive will also take place during the event, with donations intended to support humanitarian relief efforts.

Organisers are inviting families, friends, and community members to attend in solidarity and learn more about the activists’ firsthand accounts.

Scheduled from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, the gathering seeks to foster understanding, encourage civic engagement, and provide a space for South Africans to hear directly from activists about the challenges they encountered and the lessons they drew from their mission.

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