A powerful community gathering, the “Back to Ethics Community Day”, is set to take place this Sunday at Emmarentia Primary School in Johannesburg. The event aims to rekindle a sense of community and translate the groundswell of support for Palestine into tangible local action, addressing what organisers call a growing desensitisation to the ongoing genocide.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between international solidarity and domestic challenges. It will feature a peace motorcade, panel discussions with prominent figures, and a charity drive supporting both Gazan medical evacuees in South Africa and local orphanages. By linking the Palestinian cause to issues within South Africa, the event aims to create a sustainable movement built on shared values.
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From global solidarity to local responsibility
The “Back to Ethics” initiative was born from a concern that the initial energy surrounding the Palestinian cause was beginning to wane. Fareedah Moosa, an educator and one of the event’s organisers, explained the motivation: “The initial energy and enthusiasm for the Palestinian cause, unfortunately, was starting to fade… you tend to become desensitised.”
She stressed that this fatigue is a natural human response to overwhelming trauma but that it cannot be allowed to take hold. “This event was inspired by one powerful truth, and that ethics should never be optional,” Moosa stated.
The event’s core philosophy is that the principles applied to global injustices in Palestine, Sudan, or Congo are the same ones needed at home. “Whether it’s how we’re raising our kids, how we’re supporting Palestine… or even in our homes, how we treat each other… doing what’s right must be our foundation,” Moosa added.
This focus on universal ethics is designed to resonate with local communities and inspire action on multiple fronts.
The day’s activities will commence with a “powerful show of solidarity,” a peaceful motorcade from Zoo Lake to Emmarentia Primary at 10 am. The main event will include family-friendly activities, food vendors, and a “showstopper” panel discussion at 1:30 pm featuring notable guests like former minister Dr Naledi Pandor and political analyst Steven Friedman.
A significant component is the charity activation in partnership with Gift of the Givers. This drive will support Palestinian patients receiving medical treatment in South Africa and local orphanages. Attendees are encouraged to bring gently used toys, books, and clothes for donation.
The movement’s emphasis on ethics is about reconnecting with core values to build leadership and inspire community action, “even when it’s unpopular, even when the odds are against you,” said Moosa.
Maseabi Kapa, a politics, philosophy, and economics student and fellow organiser, highlighted the event’s inclusive nature. She noted the importance of creating dialogue that blends the perspectives of elders and youth.
“We’re trying to reach outside of Palestine and bringing it home,” Kapa said, emphasising the need to address the “really big crisis” South Africa faces regarding community and youth marginalisation. This focus on homegrown ethics aims to empower young people and ensure their voices are amplified.
Image: A student stands in protest at a North Carolina A&T Dissenters march in October 2023 calling for a cease-fire and Black and Palestinian liberation. [NORTH CAROLINA A&T DISSENTERS]
