Al-Qalam 
[Palestine Activist Milo Mahomed leads a protest march in Durban with scores of children also taking part.]
By Ismail Suder
Thousands of conscientious South Africans last weekend joined millions of their comrades from across the world to mark 100 days of genocidal bombardment of Gaza – and to call for an end to the massacres that have killed over 23,000 people in the populated Gaza Strip.
In Durban, local activists labeled their protest action as the “Walk for the Children of Gaza”. Hundreds of people – including many children – braved scorching weather to gather at Essenwood Park to show solidarity with the children of Gaza”.
The placards read: “Release Palestinian Captives”. Another placard read “Shut down the Israeli Embassy”, and yet another called for the “End of Israeli Occupation in Palestine”.
Activist and group leader, Milo Mahomed, told Al-Qalam that his son Fawwaaz and niece Ria Mahomed were at the forefront in leading the vociferous crowd with chants of “free free Palestine”. A large group of children of all ages joined in the chorus.
“The humidity may have stifled us, but it was overcome by the vociferous passion and dedication of the marching crowd. Free Palestine – From Durban to Gaza, we love you and support you. Your pain is our pain,” he said.
Despite the sweltering summer heat, the participants made up of a large number of children and their families, were determined to get their voices heard.
“What kept me going during the duration of the March were the spirit, energy, and dedication of the children at the front of the march.
“The organisers of the March asked me to lead the march to control the pace as well as to keep a 2-3m distance from the leading sound van in front of us
“It was uplifting to witness the spirited and passionate involvement of the youth in calling for an end to the Gaza genocide and the Occupation of Palestine that has gone on for over 75 years now. We, as South Africans, must do all we can to pressure world powers to end the Occupation of Palestine, he added.
Mahomed said it was important to bring the children and youth along to this and other protest marches so that they will understand what the Palestine cause is all about – and to gradually pass the baton onto them so they can continue with the long struggle “just as we in South Africa had fought hard for our freedom”.
