Apartheid Week evokes heroes’ spirits in a new fight
ON SUNDAY, children, grandchildren and relatives of anti-apartheid stalwarts and veterans of the struggle gathered at the historic Liliesleaf Farm – the site of the Rivonia arrests – to launch the 11th International Israeli Apartheid Week. They included Shaka Sisulu, Mandla Mandela, Aaliyah Kathrada, Obakeng Chikane, Roshan Dadoo and Johann Naude.
The week’s events include rallies, protests, lectures, cultural performances, concerts, films and workshops. It’s held in more than 250 cities, communities and campuses across the globe and endorsed in South Africa by more than 85 organisa- tions, trade unions and political parties.
In a statement, the veterans’ relatives said: “We have a responsibility to carry forward the spirit of those who came before us. As children who live in a free South Africa, we carry a responsibility to those in the international community who contributed towards our liberation.
“Standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people is one form of actively remembering our forebears and liberation heroes.
“The Palestinians, their progressive Israeli allies and we, their supporters, are finding Nelson Mandela when we protest against Israeli apartheid. The Palestinians, their progressive Israeli allies and we, their supporters, are finding Walter Sisulu when we defy Israel’s checkpoints, house demolitions and racist laws.
“The Palestinians, their progressive Israeli allies and we, their supporters, are finding Ahmed Kathrada in Israeli jails as Palestinians stand trial for simply being Palestinian. The Palestinians, their progressive Israeli allies and we, their supporters, are finding Oliver Tambo as we advance the international, non-violent boycott, divest- ment and sanctions against Israel campaign.
“There is a growing momentum within the world of culture, sports people, celebrities, musicians, actors and comedians. Selena Gomez to… John Legend came out during Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
“The call this week in the over 150 events and actions that will take place across South Africa will be the same: Isolate Israel until Palestine is free.”
Read more at www.iawsouthafrica.com