Latest news with #NelsonMandelaFoundation
IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Palestinian journalist Belal Khaled reveals the harsh truths of the Gaza conflict
Palestinian photojournalist and graffiti artist Belal Khaled speaking at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg. He is in South Africa to share the story of the 20-month bombardment of Gaza, Palestine, by Israel. Image: Supplied Belal Khaled has not been in combat in the past 20 months that his homeland, Gaza, has been experiencing death and destruction by Israel, but the Palestinian photojournalist and graffiti artist uses his craft instead. Khaled is in South Africa to share the story of the almost two-year bombardment of Gaza by Israel, which has left around 60,000 dead and many more still unaccounted for. On Friday, he shared his journey since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Khaled was in Doha, Qatar, on that day, but he immediately left for his homeland upon realising that Palestinians could face a hard war. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'I did not think about the risks to my life,' he recalled his return on October 8 through Egypt. Khaled said he wanted to get into Gaza before its borders were closed and also to be with his family. His mother, he explained, was shocked when he arrived home unannounced, as she knew he would be on the frontline working and documenting his compatriots' stories. 'It is always on my mind that you are going to be shot, killed, or injured. I didn't care because all of us are going to die. In Gaza, you don't care about that,' Khaled added. Already, more than 250 journalists have been killed by Israel, but he is undeterred by the risks he faces daily. Khaled believes Israel targets journalists because of the fear that they are informing the world about the conditions of Palestinians. 'I have to tell my colleagues' stories. We prefer to stay away from our families to protect them. A lot of my colleagues have lost their families,' he added. His family's home was bombed in the first month, which he maintains was due to his work, and his mother and sister were injured but have since recovered. Khaled said that while Israel has not allowed any international media to cover the ongoing genocide, Palestinian journalists have lost limbs, their children, as well as their workspaces, which were destroyed in the first week of Israel's war on Gaza. 'But none have stopped working. This is our resistance,' he stated. Palestinian journalists have been operating from their cars and put up tents in hospitals, which have also been bombed, and used them as their offices and places to sleep. However, this means little sleep as they often wake up to screams and have no choice but to cover the stories of the injured. 'All our days are between bombed houses and hospitals. It's too heavy on us, even when you're tired. They (the victims) are not just numbers; each victim, each massacre must be documented,' Khaled said. 'The mental health of journalists covering the genocide is adversely affected, but they have not sought any professional help, even if they cannot mourn the dead. 'Mental health is the last thing on journalists' minds. We are so focused, worried about the killing, starvation, and death. We don't have the luxury to think about it. When we lose someone, we don't have the luxury of sadness,' said Khaled. Their job, he further explained, was to also carry victims and comfort them. 'Gazans talk to each other to heal their souls; we prefer this to therapy,' Khaled said, adding that there is always the realisation that there are others who are experiencing more suffering. He continued: 'We always remind ourselves that you don't have the luxury of choice.' Khaled is hopeful that the work of Palestinian journalists will eventually help bring justice to the victims. 'Human life is more important than photos. If you have a chance to help someone, you help,' he said. Palestinians, Khaled said, blame governments that support Israel, which he declares wants to erase Gaza, but still believe in the free people of the world. 'This is the first genocide being broadcast live, 360 degrees,' said Khaled. In addition to Israel's war, Khaled indicated that Palestinians were also fighting social and mainstream media networks. 'There is also a social media war against us. Facebook, Meta restricts and deletes our content,' he complained, maintaining that the Palestinians' truth is always hidden. Israel's biggest ally, the US, has no interest in stopping the war and is punishing everyone supporting Palestine, as witnessed across universities in that country, according to Khaled. He said Palestinians have remained in their land throughout the two years of the war, but as soon as Israel started another conflict with Iran, their citizens began to leave after missiles hit several targets.
The Herald
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
National Foundations notes commencement of national dialogue
A national dialogue preparatory committee set up by the National Foundations has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Tuesday of the national dialogue process, a historic chance for South Africans to reclaim their agency. The National Foundations consists of 43 civil society groups and 12 foundations including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Steve Biko Foundation and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. 'It is rare in the history of any nation for citizens rather than just their representatives to be given an opportunity to embark on a historical reflection about the state and condition of their nation, and their prospects for the future,' the National Foundations said on Wednesday. The foundations said on April 30 2024, former president Thabo Mbeki, reflecting on 30 years of democracy, made a passionate call for the nation to engage in a dialogue to work a new vision and programme for the next 30 years and beyond. Mbeki then tasked the National Foundations to prepare for the national dialogue. 'Thus the National Foundations became the custodians of the national dialogue from that day.' The foundations set up a committee to commence with preparations for this initiative, expanding the pool of civil society support for the national dialogue. 'In September 2024, the foundations convened a two-day workshop, attended by close to 50 civil society formations ... to set up structures, ranging from content development, planning and organisation, public mobilisation, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation and marketing and communications subcommittees to anchor preparations for the national dialogue in granular detail.' The foundations said around the same time, its preparatory committee began engagements with the emissaries of Ramaphosa, who is empowered by the constitution, to call for an initiative of this magnitude and consequence. 'At those meetings the foundations stressed the importance of the national dialogue to be a citizens-led initiative, rather than a government-run enterprise, to help overcome the chasm that has opened up between government and the governed in our country, as illustrated by the fact that only about 40% of eligible voters in our country bothered to vote in the last national and provincial elections in May 2024.' The foundations said the voter stayaway was a pointer to a massive alienation of the electorate from the democratic project, which ought to be a concern. 'For if the electorate is alienated from the democratic project, what are the implications for the legitimacy for the democratic order. It was thus important that we embarked on an initiative which will result in the citizens reclaiming their agency. 'We are happy that we reached a mutual understanding with the head of state on the essence and approach to the national dialogue.' The National Foundations said it had greed on all the structures that will underpin the execution of the national dialogue. 'We will, in the coming days, elaborate on the process that will unfold towards the preparatory convention for the national dialogue process scheduled to be held on August 15.' TimesLIVE
Eyewitness News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Various SA foundations warm up to Ramaphosa's announcement of a National Dialogue
JOHANNESBURG - Various foundations have noted with gratitude President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of the commencement of a National Dialogue. The organisations, including the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, were not part of Ramaphosa's announcement on Tuesday night. He named 31 prominent South Africans from varying sectors of society, who will be championing and guiding the national convention. A national dialogue preparatory committee says South Africans have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reclaim the country's agency. ALSO READ: National dialogue will be an important forum to set out mandate & term of GNU - political analyst They've encouraged everyday South Africans to participate in the event, aimed at shaping and recreating the country's future, adding that the venture has to be led by citizens and not the government in order to close the gap between the two. More than 50 organisations backed the foundations' call for a dialogue last year. Meanwhile, the government says the president's eminent persons group will be a fluid structure, with more names likely to be added along the way It also notes the importance of obsessing over the mission of the dialogue as opposed to individuals associated with it.
TimesLIVE
11-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
National Foundations notes commencement of national dialogue
A national dialogue preparatory committee set up by the National Foundations has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Tuesday of the national dialogue process, a historic chance for South Africans to reclaim their agency. The National Foundations consists of 43 civil society groups and 12 foundations including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Steve Biko Foundation and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. 'It is rare in the history of any nation for citizens rather than just their representatives to be given an opportunity to embark on a historical reflection about the state and condition of their nation, and their prospects for the future,' the National Foundations said on Wednesday. The foundations said on April 30 2024, former president Thabo Mbeki, reflecting on 30 years of democracy, made a passionate call for the nation to engage in a dialogue to work a new vision and programme for the next 30 years and beyond. Mbeki then tasked the National Foundations to prepare for the national dialogue. 'Thus the National Foundations became the custodians of the national dialogue from that day.' The foundations set up a committee to commence with preparations for this initiative, expanding the pool of civil society support for the national dialogue. 'In September 2024, the foundations convened a two-day workshop, attended by close to 50 civil society formations ... to set up structures, ranging from content development, planning and organisation, public mobilisation, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation and marketing and communications subcommittees to anchor preparations for the national dialogue in granular detail.' The foundations said around the same time, its preparatory committee began engagements with the emissaries of Ramaphosa, who is empowered by the constitution, to call for an initiative of this magnitude and consequence. 'At those meetings the foundations stressed the importance of the national dialogue to be a citizens-led initiative, rather than a government-run enterprise, to help overcome the chasm that has opened up between government and the governed in our country, as illustrated by the fact that only about 40% of eligible voters in our country bothered to vote in the last national and provincial elections in May 2024.' The foundations said the voter stayaway was a pointer to a massive alienation of the electorate from the democratic project, which ought to be a concern. 'For if the electorate is alienated from the democratic project, what are the implications for the legitimacy for the democratic order. It was thus important that we embarked on an initiative which will result in the citizens reclaiming their agency. 'We are happy that we reached a mutual understanding with the head of state on the essence and approach to the national dialogue.' The National Foundations said it had greed on all the structures that will underpin the execution of the national dialogue. 'We will, in the coming days, elaborate on the process that will unfold towards the preparatory convention for the national dialogue process scheduled to be held on August 15.'
Eyewitness News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Nelson Mandela Foundation rejects claims it failed to defend SA against Trump's false genocide claims
Alpha Ramushwana 26 May 2025 | 15:52 Nelson Mandela Foundation Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Julius Malema President Ramaphosa was in Washington D.C. in the United States of America on 21 May 2025 for a working visit at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. Picture: Elmond Jiyane/GCIS JOHANNESBURG - The Nelson Mandela Foundation has rejected claims that it had failed to defend South Africa against false statements of a genocide on white Afrikaner farmers in the country by US President Donald Trump. This was in response to remarks made by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema last week, accusing the foundation of keeping mum amid escalating tensions with the US. Trump's assertion that a "white genocide" is underway in South Africa has sparked outrage, with the EFF calling on prominent organisations to take a stand against the false narrative. ALSO READ: • Malema slams Ramaphosa for painting SA as a crime hub during US visit • EFF reiterates its opposition to proposed changes to allow Starlink to operate in SA • Trump, Ramaphosa engagement proof EFF remains 'major political force', says Malema • EFF dismisses Ramaphosa, Trump engagement as meeting of white privileged men • EFF disappointed with Ramaphosa for not defending SA's courts in Trump meeting During an EFF march last week, Malema criticised the Nelson Mandela Foundation, accusing it of failing to take action and condemning Trump's claims. However, the foundation has unequivocally refuted the allegations, labelling them untrue. The foundation emphasised that its CEO, Dr. Mbongiseni Buthelezi, publicly addressed the frosty relations between Pretoria and Washington. It also added that it had been actively engaged in closed-door discussions with political leaders and academics to navigate the complex diplomatic challenges. The Nelson Mandela Foundation has firmly dismissed the EFF's accusations, reiterating that it had not remained silent on the strained diplomatic ties.
