I would be an absolute toss if I do not say that I stand with the Palestinians. I really do believe that the world is so big – I’m only one of 8 billion and for the most part, the nobody in the world really cares, or needs my opinion. There are however a very few times in a person’s life where you see or hear something, and it really is your responsibility to pick a side. One simply cannot be silent when the level of destruction is as it is in the Middle East at the moment. We, humanity, needs to speak out for the sake of humanity.

It’s not such a complex issue….

The killing of any civilians (Israeli, Palestinians, South Africans, Ukrainian, Russian, British, you name it) is wrong – that’s simple.

Violating and denying basic human rights, food, water, electricity, health care is wrong – that’s simple.

Apartheid is wrong – oppressive discrimination on the basis of race or religion, sexual orientation or some other aspect of a person’s identity is wrong – that’s simple.

I do not condone or approve of Hamas attacks on civilians, just as much as I don’t condone the Israeli attacks. At the same time, I don’t need a PhD to see how the Israeli government has provoked Hamas. In my humble opinion, their actions are responsible, they’ve created the most fertile breeding ground for Hamas extremists – simple and unsurprising too.

Bottom line is, if history in South Africa has taught the world anything, let it be this – “Apartheid will ALWAYS fuel resistance”. It’s difficult to grasp how anyone can be surprised, when even the most gentle person turns around one day and and says that’s enough, after being provoked for more than a half a century.

I personally only experienced about 10 years of apartheid (that I can remember) and I was ready to join MK. ( Side note – My generation just-just missed being immersed in the ‘struggle’. My parents sent me to a private catholic school outside the coloured township. I believe (was told) partly to shield me from being exposed to the resistance . However, if Nelson Mandela wasn’t released when he was, my generation would have felt more compelled to join the struggle – been more active in the resistance struggle. How can one not struggle against being a second class citizen in your own country.

I vividly recall a profound conversation I had with my mom a few years ago. She said that if it had not been for international pressure put on the ‘then apartheid’ South African government to stop their atrocities, my family and I would still be second class citizens – in the country of our birth.

To my international friends, you didn’t know us personally but you defended our rights. I say thank you 🙏🏾❤️

To the rest of the world, it’s our turn to do the same for the majority of Palestinians who are completely innocent. To Israel – stop oppressing the Palestinians. The bloodshed must stop. Enough is enough. I don’t support you. I raise my flag with Palestine 🇵🇸🇿🇦