JOHANNESBURG – A group of six South African activists, including Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning to a hero’s welcome after being detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The activists, who were part of what has become the largest Gaza Freedom Flotilla on record, were met by crowds of supporters waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine! We will never let you die!”
Speaking to media upon their arrival, a defiant Mandla Mandela declared he has no regrets about the mission and committed to continuing similar efforts until what he termed “the genocide ends in Gaza.”
The group described disturbing conditions during their detention, with Mandela revealing they were restrained with cable ties and had rifles pointed at them while in Israeli custody. He also alleged that their personal belongings were stolen during the detention.
“What we embarked on was never going to be easy. We found ourselves victims of apartheid Israel’s attacks,” Mandela told gathered media and supporters.
The activists’ ordeal began when Israeli authorities intercepted their vessel en route to Gaza. Their mission was part of a larger international flotilla effort that saw boats departing from multiple European ports, including Barcelona, Greece, Crete, and Italy.
The situation escalated when the activists’ boat was reportedly bombed while in Tunisian waters – an attack on a sovereign nation that Mandela said was anticipated given Israel’s recent military actions across the region.
“Apartheid Israel continues to act with impunity, attacking sovereign nations like Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Yemen, and recently Qatar. We were no exception,” he stated.
Despite the attack, the activists managed to extinguish fires on their vessel and continued their journey. The mission eventually grew to include 18 boats from Barcelona, though three sustained damage during the operation.
The activists were ultimately released and deported to Jordan following diplomatic intervention by the South African government and mounting international pressure for their freedom.
Their return marks the end of a tense diplomatic episode, but Mandela made clear that similar humanitarian missions would continue.
“We committed to another mission again until the genocide ends in Gaza.”
The activists maintained that their voyage was purely humanitarian in nature, aimed at highlighting the ongoing crisis in Gaza and building global solidarity with Palestinians.
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