Mandla Mandela, the grandson of South Africa’s iconic freedom leader Nelson Mandela, has returned to Johannesburg after being detained and deported by Israeli authorities while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Mandela, 51, was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international effort organized by pro-Palestinian activists seeking to transport medical and food supplies to the besieged territory. He and four other South Africans were arrested at sea by Israeli forces and held in detention for six days before being released through Jordan.
Speaking at O.R. Tambo International Airport, where he was welcomed by supporters waving Palestinian flags, Mandela described his group’s ordeal.
“We were handcuffed with cable ties, paraded in public, and interrogated for hours. Yet what we endured is nothing compared to what the Palestinian people face daily under occupation,” he said.
Mandela condemned what he called Israel’s “inhumane blockade” of Gaza and vowed to continue advocating for Palestinian rights, echoing the solidarity long expressed by South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement.
Israel Defends Its Actions
Israeli authorities dismissed the flotilla as a “publicity stunt”, claiming it was aimed at promoting Hamas rather than genuine humanitarian relief. Officials also rejected allegations of mistreatment of detainees, asserting that the flotilla’s mission violated maritime restrictions imposed on Gaza.
Israel has maintained tight control over Gaza’s coastline, saying its blockade is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling. Humanitarian organizations, however, argue that the blockade has deepened the enclave’s food shortages and worsened the humanitarian crisis.
A Symbolic Return
Mandla Mandela’s return has reignited debate in South Africa about the country’s historical ties to the Palestinian cause. His grandfather, Nelson Mandela, famously declared that South Africa’s freedom would be incomplete “without the freedom of the Palestinian people.”
“This is not just about Gaza—it’s about justice, dignity, and human rights,” Mandla said, urging African nations to take a firmer stance against what he called Israel’s “apartheid practices.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla included activists from several countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Malaysia. Among those detained was climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was later released without charge.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen amid ongoing Israeli military operations, Mandela vowed to organize another aid mission “until the siege is broken.”