South Africa Demands Release of Nelson Mandela‘s Grandson Detained in gaza-Bound Aid convoy
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – The South African government is urgently calling for the immediate release of Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, adn five other South African citizens detained by Israel after attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The group was part of a convoy that approached Gaza this week with supplies for the civilian population.
President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the detentions as a “severe crime of israel against a global solidarity action aimed at reducing the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza,” in a statement released today. he urged Israel to “immediately release the South Africans who have been detained on international waters, and to release citizens from other countries who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid.”
Mandela, also known as Mandla, documented the journey to Gaza via social media, and a pre-recorded message was released following his detention.
South Africa has a strong history of support for the Palestinian cause, drawing parallels between Israel’s current policies and the country’s former apartheid regime. The African National Congress (ANC) government has already brought a case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, and pro-Palestinian demonstrations are frequently held throughout South Africa.
Mandla Mandela, who converted to Islam 10 years ago, previously served as a parliamentary member for the National Council (NC) for 15 years, losing his seat after last year’s election when the ANC lost its parliamentary majority.
He has faced controversy in the past, including being denied a visa to the United Kingdom last year due to his vocal support for Hamas. He publicly expressed support for the organization the day after the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks and has previously stated that israel, NATO, and Ukrainian neo-Nazis jointly provoked Russia’s war against Ukraine.
