A silent procession was held in Cape Town's CBD to commemorate the memory of Palestinian children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Mothers for Gaza, and South African Jews for a Free Palestine organised the event. A 20-metre shroud with handwritten names of 22,434 Palestinian children was displayed outside the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre.
Imam Rashid Omar addressed the gathering, stating that the event aimed to remember the children from Gaza whose lives were taken. He emphasised the importance of standing alongside their grieving mothers and families. The shroud bears the names of children under the age of five who have been killed. Omar also called for resistance to hatred and paid homage to the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
Reverend Rene August reflected on the genocide imposed on the Jewish people by the Germans and compared it to the situation in Gaza. She stated that each life is sacred, regardless of creed, race, or any other factor. A 30-minute silence was observed during the event. Three pro-Israeli supporters stood opposite the crowd, holding Israeli flags and placards with messages.
One of the pro-Israeli supporters, Steven, stated that Israel had only defended itself against Hamas terrorists. He claimed that Hamas hides itself and embeds itself within the civilian population, using civilians as shields. Steven further stated that October 7 was the second most horrible day since the Holocaust in Jewish history.
The procession walked in silence to St Mary's Cathedral, where a poem was read. The crowd then proceeded to the Groote Kerk, the Methodist Church, and finally ended at St George's Cathedral. At St George's Cathedral, the shroud of handwritten names was laid at the altar. Reverend Annie Kirk remembered Tutu on his birthday and condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Kirk emphasised Tutu's words: "The liberation of Palestine will liberate Israel too". She highlighted that the names of the children murdered are not numbers, but names of children who were loved and played. Flowers were also laid at the resting place of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. A silent vigil was held on the steps of the Cathedral.
The event concluded with a mass for Tutu, who would have celebrated his 95th birthday on the day. The demonstration aimed to promote peace, love for humanity, and kindness for their fellow neighbour, mirroring the values of Archbishop Tutu.
Key points
- 22,434 Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023
- The event was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Mothers for Gaza, and South African Jews for a Free Palestine
- A 20-metre shroud with handwritten names of the children was displayed during the silent demonstration
