Al-Qalam 
Pictured: Palestinian Activist, Coral Vinsen, enjoying tasty treats at the iftar evening with her son
By Ismail Suder
The South Africa Palestine Movement (SAPM) recently held an Iftaar evening of “unity, reflection and solidarity’ at the Suleman Lockhat Auditorium in Overport, Durban, with one main conviction – to pursue justice for the Palestinian people.
Al-Qalam attended the event along with dozens of activists from across religious denominations and Palestinian groups.
The Iftaar evening also marked a milestone for the South Africa Palestine Movement, whose members street protested for 105 Fridays in bitterly cold wintry weather to blistering hot summer days.
“This milestone is not simply a celebration – it is a renewal of intention. Until the siege ends. Until occupation falls. Until children wake up without fear. Until olive trees grow without being uprooted. Two years later, the message remains clear: we will not normalise oppression. We will not silence the truth. We will not stop showing up, no matter what the weather, Yeshelen Govender, the group’s media spokesman.
One of those who attended the Iftaar was 95-year-old Coral Vinsen (94) of Durban, who is probably the oldest human rights activist in South Africa to protest each week against the genocide in Gaza – come hail, rain or shine.
Also at the Iftaar evening was activist Elham Mouaffak Hatfield, a French-Moroccan (now South African citizen) who is part of the Global South African Samud flotilla Organisation team
She told Al-Qalam that people are preparing to set sail for Gaza within weeks, adding that the Flotilla will sail from Tunisia. She also called on South Africans to register to join the flotilla as soon as possible.
“We aim to leave for Gaza on the 12th April 2026 with 100 boats. Over a thousand people from around the world will join the Samud flotilla. We also have the humanitarian convoy mission at the same time.
“We will focus once again to sail peacefully to attempt once again to open a humanitarian corridor and break the siege of Gaza. Participants will include teachers, healthcare workers, war crime investigators, eco-builders and others to help build essential infrastructure in the Gaza Strip that was destroyed by the Zionist regime,” she added.
Those willing to volunteer may sign up here: https://registration.globalsumudflotilla.org/
