Skip to main content
Morning Star Conference
South Africa can lead the world in ending the bombardment of Gaza, says anti apartheid veteran
The logo of the International Court of Justice, left, and that of the U.N., right, are seen on the judges bench at the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, October 12, 2023

SOUTH AFRICA can lead the world in ending the bombardment of Gaza, a veteran of the anti-apartheid Soweto Uprising said ahead of the opening of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case tomorrow.

Seth Mazibuko, the youngest of the 1976 student revolt’s leadership, urged his country’s lawyers to “stick to legal arguments” and not “dilute” the prosecution with emotional pleas.

The ICJ has the power to grant “emergency measures” demanding the end of aggression while the court reaches a judgement — but it cannot enforce them.

Mr Mazibuko, who spent 18 months in solitary confinement and then seven years on Robben Island following the uprising, said: “I think it’s the right move from South Africa. We as South Africans, and black South Africans for that matter, actually know the pain [of apartheid]. There aren’t many societies and countries that could understand that but South Africans.”

South Africa’s case will be put forward by a team including veteran human rights lawyer John Dugard and Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, who has represented the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters and an anti-corruption inquiry in a series of cases against former president Jacob Zuma.

The country has also appointed former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke to the ICJ’s bench, which will deliberate on the case. A final judgement could take several years.

Mr Mazibuko added: “South Africa should take a position of a voice that brings sanity, peace and reconciliation.

“And it doesn’t only play this role for South Africa, it plays this role for Africa and the world. The world has not taken action — South Africa has.”

Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
The march passes by the refinery
Britain / 4 August 2024
4 August 2024
Jacob Zuma, June 11, 2010
World / 7 January 2024
7 January 2024
Lindsey Mendick: I Tried So Hard To Be Good; SH*TFACED insta
Exhibition Review / 4 August 2023
4 August 2023
CONRAD LANDIN surveys two shows in Edinburgh which grapple with shame, repression and defiance
Similar stories
IT'S BEHIND YOU: The cast of A Good House, Amy Jeptha's Sout
Theatre review / 18 February 2025
18 February 2025
SIMON PARSONS applauds an insightful state-of-the-nation play that explores the growing class divide in South Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives for the Open
World / 19 July 2024
19 July 2024