Al-Qalam 
By Neelam Rahim
Hundreds gathered recently at Rose Park, Lenasia, for the Palestine Solidarity Alliance’s 16th Annual Walk for Freedom, a demonstration that blended reflection, activism, and a call for global justice.
Participants carried banners, sang, and marched through Lenasia streets, calling not only for justice for Palestinians but also celebrating the courage of the recently freed Sumud Flotilla activists. Speakers reminded the crowd that global solidarity is powerful when paired with local action, from community mobilisation to engaging political representatives and putting pressure on governments to act against systemic injustices.
The Community Dialogue opened with an impassioned address from Yusayra Sheik of Students for Humanity. She took the crowd back to 15 May 1948, the day known as Nakba, when thousands of Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes. Drawing a contrast, Sheik reminded the crowd that while South African youth enjoy free education, children in Gaza have been deprived of schooling for years due to occupation. “As the youth of tomorrow, we should not stand idle while we watch other children having their futures destroyed and taken away, let’s use our education as a weapon for freedom. Free, free Palestine.”
Facilitator Amaarah Garda guided the panel session on Education and Youth Leadership for Social Justice, bringing together Fasiha Hassan, Raeesa Hoosein, and Walter Tebogo Letsie.
Hassan highlighted the global dimensions of the struggle for Palestinian freedom: “The struggles against fascism in the US, Brazil, and India are intrinsically linked to the fight for justice here.” While Letsie stressed the role of education in sustaining movements, the importance of conscientising communities at every level from schools to sporting fields and warned against the misrepresentation of resistance efforts by Israeli-sponsored media.
Fasiha Hassan, a lawyer and Member of Parliament for the ANC, also drew parallels between apartheid-era South Africa and the systemic oppression in Palestine. Reflecting on the enduring lessons of Fees Must Fall and civic activism, she stressed the power of collective action. “We must organise communities, extend awareness beyond our immediate circles, and ensure that our voices force action.” She also noted her recent engagement at the UN General Assembly in New York, underscoring the global solidarity movements emerging among ordinary citizens rather than governments.
Raeesa Hoosein, an educator, highlighted the foundational role teachers play in shaping critically conscious learners. “Educators cannot be neutral. We either reinforce injustice or inspire justice,” she said. Hoosein stressed teaching the legacies of apartheid and connecting them to contemporary struggles, ensuring that young people grasp the gravity of systemic oppression and develop the tools to resist it. She encouraged the use of school councils as training grounds for civic leadership, emphasising that youth engagement begins early and extends beyond classroom walls.
Walter Tebogo Letsie, reflecting on the South African resistance, reminded participants of the lessons of coordination and strategy. “In the early years of apartheid, those fighting for freedom created their own media, newsletters, and campaigns to communicate truth,” he said. “Today, social media is fragmented; we must coordinate to counter misinformation and amplify justice.”
The event also called attention to domestic political accountability. Hassan urged the public to pressure MPs and governments complicit in Israel’s actions. “Bring it up in parliament, on social media, in the media,” she said. “Let them know that the people are watching, and demand action.”
The 16th Annual Walk for Freedom reaffirmed that solidarity is both a moral obligation and a practical necessity.
From the voices of parliamentarians to educators shaping the next generation, the PSA’s annual gathering showcased the enduring power of community-led activism, reminding all present that freedom, justice, and human dignity are struggles that must be carried forward together.
As Hassan pointed out, “Our work is meaningful. We make a difference. The Global South is organising, and we are organising on the side of justice.”
