Two Stellenbosch University (SU) societies, the Palestinian Solidarity Forum (PSF) and the South African Students Congress (SASCO), collaborated to share experiences of pro-Palestine student activists in a series of live, online discussions, during the second week of May.
This initiative was part of SU PSF’s annual participation in the worldwide campaign, Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW).
According to the PSF Instagram page, Israeli Apartheid Week is a series of events that happen internationally as a part of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign to “raise awareness about Israel’s military occupation, apartheid policies and settler-colonial project.”
The aim of the collaboration is to create awareness and send a message of unity in addressing injustices, said Kwanda Nyende, SASCO Stellenbosch’s political education officer.
“Many people are not fully aware of the historical context that has led to the Israel-Palestine conflict that endures today. As a result, when one sides with the Palestinian people, many people fail to understand [it],” he said
Stellenbosch University Palestinian Solidarity Forum members at Stellenbosch University’s annual societies fair in February, this year. PHOTO: Instagram/ @stellenbosch_psf
The PSF collaboration with SASCO Stellenbosch showed the collective effort and challenges faced by many student activists, said Aadila Mahomed, current chairperson of SU PSF. Through this initiative, both societies hoped to create a platform of activism and awareness of human rights, she said.
Working with SASCO, an organisation that has proven to be effective and boldly aligned with principles of freedom and democracy, shows that the issue of Palestine is also a struggle for human rights, said Mahomed.
“We hope that other activists might be inspired to develop their own innovative ways to raise awareness and further the activism,” she said.
During their annual Israeli Apartheid Week, Stellenbosch University Palestinian Solidarity Forum encouraged activism and awareness in their pro-Palestine cause. PHOTO: Instagram/ @stellenbosch_psf
Another side to student activism
According to Mehnaz Allie, vice-chairperson of SU PSF, the societies shared the stories of the activists from different parts of society, during the online discussions.
“Seeing different types of people [who] all share the same view and understanding of democratic principles and the importance of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, could help others to want to get involved to fight for human rights,” said Allie.
Both societies said they hoped that the messages shared, will encourage other people to become interested in the pro-Palestine cause.
Allie said she hoped that these shared experiences would also help other activists to better understand the challenges and adversity one is faced with as a pro-Palestinian activist.