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“Be strong.”
This is the message from former MP Nkosi Mandla Mandela to his worried family on Wednesday before the Global Sumud Flotilla, which he is part of, was intercepted by Israeli forces en route to Gaza, creating an international outcry.
The flotilla is a multinational civilian effort to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza. At least 44 countries are represented.
More than 500 volunteers — doctors, lawyers, parliamentarians, unionists and human rights defenders — are attempting to deliver medical supplies and food to Gaza’s besieged population.
Mandela, like his grandfather, late former president Nelson Mandela, was a vocal supporter of the Palestinians.
“I am pleading that pressure be exerted so they are released. They must be deported back home,” Mandela’s 75-year-old mother, Nolusapho Mandela, said.
“I asked for government intervention because the government are the only ones that can assist.”
She last spoke with her son on Wednesday.
“When I spoke with him, he said we must be strong. He had not been arrested at the time. It was before 4.30pm.
“I’m trying to be strong, and being old is not helping.
“We didn’t sleep. We are saying he must be released. They did nothing wrong.
“They were taking humanitarian aid to those in need. They are not armed.”
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On Thursday, Mandela’s wife, Nosekeni Rabia Mandela, said when she waved her husband goodbye at the airport about a month ago, she did not know if she would see him again.
He had been vocal about the genocide in Gaza, she said.
Since the flotilla was intercepted, the family has had no contact with him.
“We had confirmation from other boats that his boat has been intercepted, and they had been taken captive,” she said.
The group had been detailing attacks allegedly by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean for days before the interception.
In a joint statement, the flotilla called for protection and demanded that all governments do everything possible to guarantee the opening of a safe and continuous humanitarian corridor to Gaza.
“This is a moral, legal and humanitarian imperative. Civilians must have access to life-saving aid without obstruction or delay.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla, committed to delivering aid and standing in solidarity with the people of Gaza, must be fully protected.”
An SOS message by the flotilla’s website said: “Crew members have been illegally intercepted in international waters during their mission to break the siege and deliver aid.”
Holding back tears, Rabia said she was praying for the safe return of her husband.
“My prayer is that he is going to come back to us unharmed and soon.
“It’s been a month [since he left SA] and I have no idea what to tell the children when they say I miss daddy and when is he coming home?
“It’s been difficult to navigate that, but we have to stay strong for him, and we have to believe he is coming home because this was a noble mission.
“We just have to keep on putting pressure on our government and on the international community to secure the release of these hostages ...
“They knew the risks going there, but they couldn’t sit behind while innocent people were being starved.”
In a pre-recorded viral video before the interception, Mandela said: “I’m a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and have been abducted by the apartheid state of Israel.
“I call you to request our government to exert pressure for my immediate release.”
The presidency said South Africans aboard the flotilla included Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla, while confirmation was pending of the detention of Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.
The flotilla set sail from Spain in August with delegations from countries including South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, Spain, Brazil, Algeria and the UK.
President Cyril Ramaphosa called on the government of Israel to release the South Africans and others.
“The interception ... is another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region,” he said.
“The interception of the flotilla in international waters is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla.
“This action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.
“SA calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, as the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel.
“SA supports the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible.
“My thoughts are with all of the abductees and their families ...”
Fellow traditional leaders expressed shock at Mandela’s detention.
Qunu traditional leader Nkosi Nokwanele Balizulu said: “Our wish is for him to come back, and we hope that he is safe. We want him to come home”
Nkosi Minenkulu Joyi called on the government to assist in his release, as well as others detained.
“He was on a trip that was going to assist the oppressed. He was following his moral obligation.
“We request government to intervene through their bilateral engagements and diplomatic means,” Joyi said.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers, described the interception as the work of a “terrorist pariah apartheid genocidal state” with no respect for human rights.
The interception has received worldwide condemnation.
Daily Dispatch
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