Amid the current political chaos and tension, South Africa celebrates a minor but significant victory, as Palestinian students who arrived from Gaza earlier this year to complete their studies have graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Recently, the phrase ‘Free Palestine’ has gained immense traction, as the international community rallied behind the people of Palestine to speak out and advocate for their liberation against what they believe is an Israeli occupation against Palestinians. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a new one, as it dates back to the 19th century, when the Jewish community initiated a movement for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
October 2023 saw the escalation of the conflict when Hamas, a Palestinian militant group controlling Gaza, launched a large-scale attack on Israel. In retaliation, Israel launched an extensive military response called ‘Operation Swords of Iron’, which aimed to annihilate Hamas’ military capabilities. Unfortunately, this led to a severe humanitarian crisis when Israel’s attack caused massive displacement and immense destruction to a significant extent.
Driven by humanitarian concern, a group of medical and veterinary students were sent to UCT to complete their degrees, after their education was disrupted due to the destruction of universities in Gaza.
Recently, despite facing these tragic circumstances of watching their homeland turn into rubble in a short space of time, this group of students defied all the odds and completed their qualifications to make it to the graduation stage.
Graduation of Palestinian students from the medical faculties at the University of Cape Town and Vets who arrived earlier from the universities of Gaza to complete the rest of their studies.
Amandla! ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/kqhln4fv6M
— Ayesha Bagus 🇿🇦🇵🇸🇨🇩🇸🇩 (@Ayesha_Bagus) May 5, 2025
As expected, this was widely celebrated by many South Africans who empathise with these students, as many comparisons have been made between South Africa and Palestine, where some have labelled Palestine as yet another apartheid state, and have urged the international community to intervene.
We don’t get a lot of things right, but sometimes?!!! Sometimes?!! We hit the nail on the head bandla. 🤌🏾🤌🏾 https://t.co/sHn4TUHsum
— NoxC-PoxC (@NoxCPoxC) May 5, 2025
My country, my pride. Oh Palestine, you will be Free! https://t.co/FiqUs7vdBn
— Timna (@TimnaMN) May 7, 2025
