In Mvezo, the birthplace of the late African leader Nelson Mandela, and upon the invitation of his family and with the participation of delegations from various African countries, the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine took part in an international conference held over three days (May 23–25, 2025), in celebration of Africa Day. The event was organized directly by Mandla Mandela, the grandson of the iconic anti-apartheid leader.

The Campaign’s participation in this prominent event reflected the deep connection between the Palestinian struggle and the struggles of African peoples against colonialism and racism, affirming that the Palestinian cause remains alive in the hearts of free nations around the world—especially on the continent that has led historic movements of liberation and resistance.

Palestine at the Heart of the Conference

During the opening session, Palestine held a prominent place in the speeches delivered by various delegations. The intervention by the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine, represented by Dr. Abdul Malak Sukkarieh, resonated strongly, emphasizing that the Campaign’s presence in Mandela’s birthplace was a message of appreciation and loyalty to the South African people and to a global symbol who inspired resistance against injustice everywhere.

The Campaign praised the bold decision of the South African government to file a lawsuit against the Israeli occupation before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. It described the move as a pivotal milestone in the global pursuit of justice and reaffirmed its full support, expressing hope for continued efforts until justice is achieved for the Palestinian people and war criminals are held accountable.

Dialogues and Resistance Partnerships

On the second day of the conference, the Campaign participated in a dialogue session exploring the historic ties between African liberation movements and the Palestinian cause. It stressed the importance of leveraging shared struggles to build strong alliances that can bolster Palestine’s presence in African awareness and international forums.

The third day was marked by a cultural and grassroots focus. The Campaign took part in festive cultural events that brought together the participating delegations in a spirit of solidarity and humanity, while also working to strengthen relationships with African organizations and institutions to establish joint frameworks for action in support of oppressed peoples.

Strengthening Legal Cooperation

After the conference concluded, the Campaign continued its activities with a visit to Johannesburg, where it met with one of its long-time allies, attorney Ziyad Patel. The meeting focused on developing the Campaign’s legal strategy in South Africa, particularly in relation to advancing legal action against Usurping entity war crimes in international courts.

The meeting took place in a local restaurant that proudly displays Palestinian flags. In recognition of the owner’s brave stance and symbolic contribution to keeping Palestine visible in South Africa’s popular landscape, the Campaign presented him with a Palestinian keffiyeh.

Ongoing Solidarity and Engagement

Through this impactful participation, the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine reaffirms its commitment to expanding its global network of support and building bridges of solidarity with freedom-loving people around the world. The Campaign continues to link the Palestinian cause with historic struggles for justice—particularly those in Africa, which has long been a powerful voice for freedom and resistance against oppression and occupation.