Hundreds of people, led by local journalists and civil society organisations, marched along the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town on Sunday, 17 August, to protest the killing of journalists in Gaza. The demonstration was organised in a show of solidarity with Palestinian media workers, following a recent Israeli airstrike that killed six journalists.
The march, organised by Journalists Against Apartheid with support from groups like Gift of the Givers, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and South African Jews for a Free Palestine, highlighted the severe risks faced by the press in the conflict zone. Protesters carried a sign bearing the names of more than 200 media workers who have reportedly been killed since the conflict escalated on 7 October 2023.
The protest was specifically prompted by an Israeli airstrike on 10 August near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which killed six journalists, including Al Jazeera correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh. The Israeli military claimed it targeted al-Sharif, alleging he was a Hamas operative, but has not provided evidence to support this claim.
The Al Jazeera Media Network and the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) have condemned the killings.
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A call for truth and protection
During the demonstration, speakers emphasised that journalism is not a crime and that targeting media workers is an attempt to control the narrative by silencing those who bear witness.
Palestinian photojournalist Sharif Moosa, now living in South Africa, addressed the crowd, stating, “Every colonial project survives on two weapons: physical extermination of the colonised people and control of the narrative… Killing journalists is how Israel tries to maintain control over the narrative.” This sentiment at the solidarity march was echoed by many.
South African journalist Crystal Orderson drew parallels with the role of media during apartheid, reminding younger journalists of the importance of reporting on human suffering and truth. “We can’t be silent,” she urged. “In newsrooms across South Africa, we need to stand up for the truth.”
The protest is one of several recent events in Cape Town aimed at drawing attention to the issue. A vigil was also held on the steps of St George’s Cathedral, a historic site of anti-apartheid protest, attended by prominent figures including Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman and cartoonist Zapiro. The repeated calls for a solidarity march and vigil underscore the growing local concern.
The number of media workers killed in the conflict is reported to be over 230, the highest in any modern conflict. Speakers and organisations at the Cape Town solidarity march called for international accountability, labelling the killings as war crimes and demanding justice for the slain journalists.
Image: People attend a protest march led by South African journalists and media workers in Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa, on Aug. 17, 2025. [Credit: Xinhua]
