Image Source: The Citizen
South Africa – Guided by a deep sense of justice and empathy, Palestinian activist Itani Rasalanavho is preparing for another cross-country journey in solidarity with Palestine.
Earlier this year, Itani walked over 715 kilometres from the Hector Pieterson Museum in Johannesburg to Durban, raising funds for Palestinian children who have been severely injured by Israeli attacks and need prosthetic limbs.
Now, as we mark a tragic milestone—one year since Isreal’s genocide in Gaza, 76 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine, and intensifying Israeli military aggression in the region—Itani is set to embark on a new challenge: a walk from Mafikeng to Cape Town, starting October 19.
However, Itani’s mission extends beyond Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He aims to raise awareness about other humanitarian crises and conflicts, including those in Sudan, Syria, and Kashmir.
As he stated, this journey is about more than just physical, emotional, and spiritual endurance. It’s a call to keep conversations about Palestine alive throughout South Africa and strengthen solidarity with oppressed communities worldwide.
“Let us sustain the conversation and continue talking about the Palestinian cause. Keep discussing it in the media, social media, our communities, our streets, and even our casual conversations. Let all our discussions include the suffering of Palestinians, the hardships faced by children in Gaza and the West Bank.”
“At the end of the day, this struggle is not just about Palestinians, Muslims, or Christians. It’s about confronting those who believe they are superior to others.”
“These are things we have witnessed in South Africa. If those forces succeed in Palestine and establish dominance through Israel, they could do the same elsewhere—even here in the Western Cape, where we’ve already seen troubling signs. “
“We must keep these conversations alive and speak up for others who are suffering as well. We have Sudanese people struggling. People in Kashmir and other regions are enduring hardships. We need to talk about the Palestinians and draw connections to others facing similar struggles worldwide.”
A critical part of Itani’s goal is to raise funds to bring Palestinian children, currently receiving treatment in Egypt, to South Africa for specialised medical care. Originally meant to be treated in Lebanon, the children’s transfer was redirected due to Israel’s ongoing bombardment.
In addition to raising funds for Palestinian children and awareness for Palestine, Itani will launch a campaign to collect non-perishable food, clothing, and blankets for Sudanese refugees across Africa. This effort aims to provide essential support to refugees who have fled ongoing violence, many of whom are living in harsh conditions with limited access to critical resources.
“We need South Africa to collect this and provide assistance in terms of psychological, medical, and educational support for the refugees. For more than a year, the children have not been attending school, and they have not received adequate medical attention. While medicine is being transported, it is not reaching all the necessary areas.”
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Spreading Palestinian Solidarity Throughout South Africa
As he walks through towns, villages, and settlements, Itani hopes to engage with communities, challenge dominant media narratives, and share international humanitarian stories that often go unheard. He believes these conversations can cultivate a deeper understanding of global struggles, inspiring empathy and action in his fellow South Africans.
Through direct connection, Itani wants to remind people that the Palestinian fight for justice is not distant or abstract—it embodies the same spirit of resistance and solidarity that resonates deeply with South Africa’s history.
“That’s one of the most significant objectives of the walk. The goal is to move from one city to another—not just from one to the other, but also to visit the small towns, villages, and settlements between these cities. This allows us to engage with local communities on these issues and connect with the realities on the ground, providing new perspectives.”
“In most cases, the information we receive comes from mainstream media, which often supports oppressive forces. By going to these places and offering our perspective, we can share alternative viewpoints.”
“We’ll be distributing leaflets, providing access to different sources of information, and hosting talks. Through these efforts, we aim to shed light on situations that have long gone unnoticed, helping people reconnect with the truth and regain the real story of what’s happening.”
