Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of the Cape Town CBD to commemorate the memory children from Palestine killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The programme began on Wednesday outside the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre where a 20-metre shroud containing the handwritten names of 22,434 Palestinian children killed was displayed during a silent demonstration.
The silent demonstration, procession, and vigil commemorating the children was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Mothers for Gaza, and South African Jews for a Free Palestine.
Mourning the loss of children
In opening of the day’s proceedings, Imam Rashid Omar said the group was gathering in peace and for justice. He said the gathering was to remember the children from Gaza whose lives were taken.
“We stand alongside their grieving mothers and families. The shroud bears the names of children under the age of five who have been killed. We affirm our shared humanity to protect human dignity,” Omar said.
He also called for the resistance of hatred, no matter the language, skin colour, or denomination.
“We also mourn the loss of Jewish children on October 7, 2023. We mourn with their families too. Our hearts should be free from hatred,” he said.
Omar also paid homage to the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who would have celebrated his 95th birthday on the day.
During his dua (prayer), Omar asked for comfort and protection for the children who still remain in Palestine.
The names of the Palestinian children killed in Gaza are handwritten on a 20-metre shroud.
Moment of silence
Reverend Rene August also addressed the crowd, and while reflecting on the genocide imposed on the Jewish people by the Germans, she said the same was being done in Gaza.
“Today, we refuse to forget. Each life is sacred regardless of creed, race, or any other factor. October 7th is the celebration of the life of Archbishop Tutu. He lived his life to do good. He believed we all are children of God,” August said.
A 30-minute silence was also observed.
Pro-Israel
During this time three pro-Israeli supporters stood opposite the crowd holding Israeli flags.
One of the supporters stated: “7th October is our day!” The trio also placed placards on the ground that read: “Free Gaza from Hamas”, “No Genocide – Geno – Lie!!”, and “Rape is not resistance”.
Speaking to IOL, one of the demonstrators, who only gave his name, Steven, said Israel has only defended itself against Hamas terrorists.
“Because Hamas hides itself and embeds itself within the civilian population. They go underground and use civilians as shields because of their cowardice. Israel had no choice; if it wants to defend itself, seek out the ones who seek to destroy it. Civilian casualties can occur and Israel is the first to feel sorry and be hurtful because Israel knows what it is to be slaughtered and be hunted and persecuted just for their religion ,” he said.
Steven further stated that October 7 was the second most horrible day since the Holocaust in Jewish history.
“We stand here to commemorate the victims of October 7,” he said.
Procession
From there, the pro-Palestinian demonstrators walked in silence to St Mary’s Cathedral, where a poem was read. The procession, still silent, walking in the CBD and made its way to the Groote Kerk, thereafter, the Methodist Church and ended at the St George’s Cathedral where all officiating reverends shared the same word of peace, love for humanity, and mirroring the kindness for their fellow neighbour as Archibishop Tutu would have done.
Genocide
As the crowd entered into St George’s Cathedral, the shroud of handwritten names was laid at the altar.
The Cathedral’s Reverend Annie Kirk remembered Tutu on his birthday, but also said the day now had significant meaning for what happened on this day in Gaza as she condemned the ongoing genocide.
Kirk said when Tutu visited Palestine, it was a painful reminder of apartheid in South Africa and it hurt him deeply.
“Nothing that has happened on that day can be justified by what has happened since. For three years the world has watched the devastation in Gaza. The killing and maiming of civilians. The destruction of homes, schools, and places of worship,” Kirk said.
Looking at the shroud, she said: “Today, the names of those children murdered are here before us. Not numbers, names. Children who were loved. Children who played and laughed,” she said.
Kirk emphasised Tutu’s words: “The liberation of Palestine will liberate Israel too”.
Flowers were also laid at the resting place of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
A silent vigil was held on the steps of the Cathedral, and thereafter a mass for Tutu was held.
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