President Ramaphosa Calls for Release of Abducted Global Sumud Flotilla Activists, Including Mandla Mandela
President Cyril Ramaphosa has demanded the immediate release of all activists abducted by Israeli authorities during the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission bound for Gaza. Among those detained is Mandla Mandela, grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, highlighting South Africa’s deep ties to the Palestinian cause. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for accountability under international law as the flotilla aimed to deliver much-needed aid to a region facing severe hardship.
This event unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, where Gaza remains under a strict blockade. The flotilla, made up of unarmed civilians from around the world, sought to break the siege and provide relief to Palestinians suffering from famine and isolation. As details emerge, questions arise about the legality of the interception in international waters and its impact on global humanitarian efforts.
The Global Sumud Flotilla: Purpose and Participants
The Global Sumud Flotilla, named after the Arabic word for steadfastness, is the largest civilian-led aid convoy to date, consisting of over 45 boats carrying around 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, activists, and civilians from 46 countries. Launched from various ports, including Spain and Tunisia, the fleet set sail in early September 2025 with about 300 tons of essential supplies, such as food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid. Its primary goal was to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, which has been in place for 18 years, and to establish a people’s humanitarian corridor to address the catastrophic conditions there, including widespread food insecurity and famine as reported by the United Nations.
Participants included high-profile figures like Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, American labour leader Chris Smalls, Pakistani Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, and several South Africans. From South Africa alone, 23 citizens joined the mission, reflecting the country’s long-standing solidarity with Palestine, rooted in its own history of apartheid. Notable South Africans aboard included Mandla Mandela, award-winning journalist Zukiswa Wanner, Fatima Hendricks, Zaheera Soomar, Reaaz Moola, Bashera Soomar, and Carolyn Shelver. Mandla Mandela, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, joined to continue his grandfather’s legacy of fighting oppression, stating in a pre-recorded message that Palestinians face a worse form of apartheid than South Africa ever did.
Other international participants, such as New Zealanders, Australians like Maritime Union member Hamish Paterson, UK citizen Evie Snedker, and Brazilian leader Thiago Ávila, underscored the global nature of the effort. Chris Smalls, who was released from prison in July 2025 to join the flotilla, recorded a video pleading for pressure on the US government for his release after being kidnapped by Israeli forces.
The Interception by Israeli Forces
In the early hours of 2 October 2025, Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters, about 46 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast. Reports indicate that at least 28 of the 45 vessels were stopped, with commandos storming boats using aggressive tactics, including ramming vessels, deploying water cannons, and surrounding ships with drones and helicopters. The Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed the navy had warned the flotilla to change course, stating they were approaching an active combat zone and that the blockade would not be breached.
Activists described the operation as violent and illegal, with explosions, jammed communications, and objects dropped on boats. One vessel, the Mikeno, was reportedly just 15 km from Gaza’s shore and still en route, while another allegedly reached the coast amid the chaos. Detainees were transferred to an Israeli port, with the flotilla condemning the actions as piracy and a breach of international humanitarian law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Videos from the scene showed the flotilla’s positions on maps, with red alerts marking interception points. Greta Thunberg sent an emergency call to the Swedish government demanding release, while others like Senator Mushtaq Ahmed from Pakistan were also abducted. The GSF insisted the mission was peaceful and unarmed, aimed solely at delivering aid, and called for the world to pressure Israel to allow the remaining boats through.
This is not the first such incident; similar flotillas, like the 2010 Mavi Marmara, faced deadly confrontations, resulting in international condemnation. Here, the interception has drawn parallels, with accusations of excessive force against civilians.
Mandla Mandela’s Detention and Video Message
Mandla Mandela, aboard the vessel Alma alongside Thunberg, was forcibly taken during the raid. In his pre-recorded video, released after the interception, he identified himself as a South African citizen and accused Israel of abduction by an “apartheid state.” He urged the South African government to intervene for his immediate release, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of the mission.
Mandela had spoken earlier from the ship, condemning Israel’s actions and linking them to broader aggression. His involvement stems from a family tradition of anti-apartheid activism, with Nelson Mandela famously supporting Palestinian rights. Mandla’s detention has amplified calls for freedom, with supporters like former EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi praising his bravery.
Other detained South Africans, including Zukiswa Wanner—a mother, activist, and journalist—have prompted urgent appeals. Videos of Wanner circulated, urging authorities to act.
President Ramaphosa’s Response and South African Stance
President Cyril Ramaphosa swiftly condemned the abductions, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mandla Mandela and all other South African citizens involved. In a statement, he highlighted the violation of international law and reiterated South Africa’s commitment to Palestinian solidarity, drawing parallels to the anti-apartheid struggle.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) had been monitoring the flotilla closely, expressing grave concern over drone activity and potential military engagement. Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri stressed that the safety of unarmed participants is paramount and that any forceful detention in international waters breaches global norms. Dirco urged adherence to humanitarian principles and the opening of aid corridors.
Ramaphosa’s call aligns with South Africa’s recent UN speech, where he labelled Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and demanded global action. The government has previously supported safe passage for the flotilla, viewing it as a moral imperative.
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