South African Aboard Gaza Aid Flotilla Describes “Tough but Purposeful” Journey

For South African social impact leader Dr Zaheera Soomar, the past two weeks have been unlike anything she has ever experienced. Sailing across the Mediterranean as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy aiming to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, she admits the journey has tested her strength in ways she couldn’t have imagined.

Fifteen Days At Sea

Soomar set sail from Tunisia’s northern port of Bizerte on 13 September, joining more than 50 boats carrying activists and aid from across the world. Speaking from onboard, she described life at sea as “intense” and “anything but easy.”

“It’s been difficult. Rough. Good from a solidarity perspective, but really hard,” she said. Despite undergoing weeks of preparation, she confessed that nothing could have fully prepared her for the daily realities of sailing.

Learning To Survive On The Water

Far from being a passenger, Soomar has taken on hands-on roles she never anticipated. “I’ve had to sail a sailboat. I’ve learned to fix engines, to anchor in the middle of the night,” she explained. For the past week, she has even been on drone watch every night, training herself to identify the difference between surveillance drones.

These skills, she said, were not just about survival but about resilience a small reflection of the struggles Palestinians face under blockade.

Nearing Gaza’s Shores

The flotilla is now roughly 150 nautical miles from the Gaza coast. Organisers estimate it will take two to three more days before the fleet reaches its destination, where aid is desperately needed.

Soomar remains determined, her voice carrying the weight of both fatigue and purpose: “We are here to stand with the people of Gaza. No matter how tough this journey has been, it is nothing compared to the suffering we are trying to ease.”

A Movement Of Global Solidarity

The Global Sumud Flotilla has drawn international attention, echoing previous solidarity voyages that attempted to breach Gaza’s blockade. For many South Africans, the mission resonates deeply, with echoes of the country’s own history of resisting isolation and injustice.

On social media, messages of encouragement have poured in, with supporters praising Soomar’s bravery. One X user wrote: “South Africa has always stood on the side of justice. Proud to see Dr Soomar carrying that spirit to Gaza.”

As the flotilla edges closer to Gaza, the world watches with anticipation and many South Africans wait with pride, knowing one of their own is helping carry not just aid, but a message of global solidarity.

{Source: EWN}

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