Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Cape Town’s central business district on Saturday, braving sweltering temperatures as they marched from Muir Street to Parliament. The protesters, who ranged from small children to elderly citizens, chanted slogans such as
“Free Palestine”
and
“Palestine will be free!”
as they called for an end to what they described as the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Among those who joined the procession was uMkhonto weSizwe Deputy President John Hlophe. He underlined the parallels between South Africa’s past and the plight of Palestinians.
“The MK Party identifies with the goals of the Palestinian people. Their struggle cannot be separated from our struggle. It is a struggle for dignity. It is a struggle over the land of the Palestinian people. So we are here to support their cause.”
Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were also prominent in the march. Party MP Carl Niehaus expressed his strong stance against Israel, describing the scale of suffering in Gaza.
“And especially with the people of Gaza, who are suffering so much because of the genocide that Apartheid Israel is committing. We call for the immediate removal of the Israeli embassy from South Africa, full financial and economic sanctions against Apartheid Israel, and for the genocide to be brought to an end.”
He went further to emphasise the personal dimension of his participation.
“We support the flotilla currently heading to Gaza, and we call on all people of the world to stand with the people of Palestine. I’m here with my eight-year-old son, joining the struggle. Little kids like him have been killed by the butcher, Benjamin Netanyahu, and we say Netanyahu should be arrested and sent to jail.”
EFF member Nazier Paulsen stressed the long history of the Palestinian struggle, noting how global awareness continues to grow despite efforts to suppress it.
“Despite attempts by right-wingers to deny it, there is a genocide. This genocide started in 1948, systematically seeking to eliminate all Palestinians from their homeland and create an illegitimate Israeli state. South Africans must hold to our legacy, isolate the apartheid state of Israel diplomatically, and impose economic sanctions so that a free Palestine can become a reality. In this place, Jews, Muslims, and Christians can live together in freedom.”
250 000 people in Cape Town marched for a free Palestine.#FreeFreePalestine pic.twitter.com/M4g4SrY3Ml
— Nazier Paulsen (@nazier_paulsen) September 27, 2025
A coalition of South African civil society organisations, trade unions, religious bodies, and political parties handed a memorandum to Speaker Thoko Didiza. The document pressed government to take firm action against Israel.
Central to their appeal is the immediate passage of the proposed Apartheid Bill. If enacted, the legislation would criminalise apartheid under South African law and provide a legal foundation for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.
The groups referenced findings from the United Nations Commission of Inquiry, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court. These institutions have documented alleged acts of genocide, war crimes, and apartheid, including mass killings, destruction across Gaza, and the displacement of civilians.
The memorandum argued that South Africa’s economic and corporate links with Israel, covering industries such as coal, arms, and technology, render the country complicit in crimes committed against Palestinians.
Specific demands put forward include the suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel, a halt to all cultural, academic, economic, and sporting ties, and prosecution of corporations accused of supporting Israeli apartheid and genocide. The signatories further called for the enforcement of ICJ rulings, including reparations for victims, the right of return for displaced Palestinians, and the dismantling of settlements.
The coalition also demanded the prosecution of South African nationals serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, as well as the recognition of Zionism as a form of racial supremacy equivalent to apartheid.
The coalition emphasised South Africa’s moral and legal obligations, arguing that failure to act would amount to complicity in genocide. Their memorandum concluded with a call for an official response from government within 14 days.
