A stark Contrast in Responses too the Gaza Conflict
The recent attempt to sail a flotilla towards Gaza, spearheaded by Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, has sparked controversy, particularly given the cynical nature of the publicity surrounding it. Mandela initially engaged in actions that prompted accusations of misconduct – details of which remain unspecified in available reports – and subsequently claimed to have been “abducted” and in need of rescue. The swift acceptance of this narrative by some media outlets was striking,with Google searches for “Mandla Mandela” even suggesting “kidnapped” as an autofill option.
This incident drew criticism not only for its manipulative intent but also for the insensitive comparison drawn between Mandela’s staged situation and the genuine trauma experienced by Israeli hostages abducted on October 7th. The suffering endured by those hostages, and their families, is immeasurable.
However, amidst this controversy, a different narrative emerged from within the Mandela family. While Mandla Mandela sought attention through a questionable stunt, his cousins, Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway and Zamaswazi (Swati) Dlamini-Mandela, quietly embarked on a mission of direct aid and understanding.
Arriving in Israel on September 27th, the sisters dedicated five days to learning firsthand about the situation in Gaza and actively participating in humanitarian efforts. they distributed aid to over 10,000 women and children in Gaza, alongside the gaza Humanitarian Fund. Their itinerary included meetings with israeli President Isaac Herzog, visits to the Old City of Jerusalem, and conversations with diverse groups including women’s organizations, Palestinian artists, and Ethiopian-Israelis.
Crucially, they also visited sites directly impacted by the October 7th attacks - Nir Oz and the Nova Festival site – and met with families of victims and hostages, including Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was tragically killed by Hamas after being taken hostage.
The sisters’ experience offered a nuanced perspective, contrasting sharply with the simplified narratives frequently enough presented in the media. They observed a significant flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, contradicting reports of widespread starvation. As they shared with the Jewish Report, “Reports in the media have led us to believe that there was little or no aid going into Gaza. This couldn’t be further from the truth…we also saw that tonnes of aid were being delivered daily by humanitarian organisations.”
They concluded that “the suffering is on both sides,” witnessing “pain everywhere,but also people refusing to give up on peace.” Their approach, rooted in direct engagement and a commitment to understanding all perspectives, embodies the spirit of their grandfather, Nelson Mandela, a legacy seemingly absent from the actions of Mandla Mandela and his flotilla. The sisters’ work demonstrates a tangible impact on the lives of Palestinians, exceeding the potential of symbolic gestures like the flotilla itself.
