by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – ISRAEL’S attempt to invoke the legacy of former South African president Nelson Mandela by highlighting a visit by his cousin, King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo, has drawn fierce backlash, with South Africans insisting that no amount of public-relations manoeuvring can sanitise what many around the world describe as genocide in Gaza.
The Israeli embassy recently posted on X, formerly Twitter, celebrating King Dalindyebo’s visit to Israel and claiming that multiple South African delegations had shown eagerness to “engage with the Jewish state.”
Instead of generating goodwill, the post ignited widespread condemnation.
Critics labelled the move a “desperate attempt” to whitewash Israel’s actions in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
Many South Africans invoked Nelson Mandela’s well-known solidarity with Palestine.
Social media user Bashir Ahmad sarcastically asked whether Israel was referring to “this same Nelson Mandela,” sharing Mandela’s 1997 statement: “We know too well that our freedom (South Africa) is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
Another user, Thuso Joy, wrote: “Nelson Mandela and his whole family support Palestine. Stop using the Mandela name to sanitise your genocide in Gaza.”
Others questioned how much King Dalindyebo had been paid to “stoop so low,” while several reminded the public of the King’s past criminal convictions, arguing he could not be used as a credible representative of Mandela’s legacy.
Sebaza Sebabi added: “Trying to leverage Madiba’s legacy to score political points is deliberately misleading. South Africa’s position on Palestine is rooted in international law and human rights, not in who Israel manages to fly over for a photo-op.”
The outrage comes amid intensifying global calls for Israel to halt its assault on Gaza.
According to humanitarian agencies, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the escalation of the war, including an estimated 14,000 children and 9,000 women.
Thousands of elderly civilians have also died in repeated bombardments on densely populated neighbourhoods, shelters, hospitals and UN schools.
Aid groups warn the true death toll is likely significantly higher due to bodies still trapped under rubble and the collapse of Gaza’s health system.
South Africa has taken a leading role internationally, filing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Pretoria has also supported efforts urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to pursue prosecutions for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
More than a dozen countries have backed South Africa’s legal bid, praising it as a historic stand for global justice.
With civilian casualties mounting and international pressure rising, many South Africans argue that no symbolic gestures or strategic visits will undo what is happening in Gaza — nor will they distort Mandela’s unambiguous support for Palestinian freedom.
– CAJ News