Statement of Solidarity: Global Sumud Flotilla & Zukiswa Wanner

03 Oct 2025

in SA News

Statement of Solidarity

As a collective of independent South African writers, we wish to express our support, solidarity and admiration for the courageous actions taken by the individuals who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla. Their attempt to deliver life-saving aid to the people of Gaza, who are facing genocide at the hands of the Israeli state, will stand as a historic moment of citizen- led action.

We wish to mention our fellow writer, Zukiswa Wanner, with whom we lost contact on the evening of 1 October 2025, when the boat she was sailing on was intercepted by the IDF.

We ask that the South African government take every step to ensure her immediate release and safe passage home, as we request the same for all South Africans who are part of the GSF. We ask the same of all other governments with citizens that are part of the GSF: advocate on behalf of your citizens to ensure their safe passage home.

We remain immensely proud of South Africa’s role in taking Israel to the International Court of Justice, and we now ask for further decisive action to keep all our citizens safe as well as to continue demanding the end of the genocide and the end of the occupation.

If you would like your name to be added to the list of signatories, please email PENSouthAfrica@proton.me

In Solidarity…

Barbara Adair
Janine Adams
Terry-Ann Adams
Peter-Adrian Altini
Mia Arderne
Lucienne Argent
Gabeba Baderoon
Sisanda Baleni
Muhaa Bardien
Jayne Bauling
Holly Bell Beaton
Tiah Beautement
Erika Bornman
Barbara Boswell
Dani Bowler
Elana Bregin
Cayleigh Bright
Andrew Brown
Jane Arabella Burnett
Sindiswa Busuku
Nadia Cassim
Megan Choritz
Neil Coppen
David Cornwell
CA Davids
Quraisha Dawood
Shari Daya
Danyela Demir
Mercy Dhliwayo
Jabulile Dlamini-Qwesha
Alexandra Dodd
Relebone Rirhandzu eAfrika
Haidar Eid
Azad Essa
Melinda Ferguson
Ryland Fisher
vangile gantsho
Edna Gee
Mark Gevisser
Pumla Dineo Gqola
Dela Gwala
Tania Haberland
Stacy Hardy
Jozi Harty
Shafinaaz Hassim
Anelia Heese
Amy Heydenrych
Joanne Hichens
Colleen Higgs
Riley Hlatshwayo
Janine Jellars
Karen Jennings
Siphokazi Jonas
Ashraf Kagee
A’Eysha Kassiem
Karabo Kgoleng
Atiyyah Khan
Jamil F.Khan
Shubnum Khan
Busisekile Khumalo
Bongani Kona
Kelly-Eve Koopman
Christa Kuljian
Sewela Langeni
Stephen Langtry
Ming-Cheau Lin
Welcome Mandla Lishivha
Qarnita Loxton
Charisse Louw
Jennifer Malec
Mohale Mashigo
Wamuwi Mbao
Sindi-Leigh Tenielle McBride
Alistair Mackay
Xoli Madlala
Sipholazi Magadla
Siphiwo Mahala
Ismail Mahomed
Angela Makholwa
Nyakallo Maleke
David Mann
Kopano Maroga
Gakwi Mashego
Lebo Mazibuko
Renee Akitelek Mboya
Natalia Molebatsi
Lesedi Molefi
Maneo Mohale
Kharnita Mohamed
T.O. Molefe
Rosie Motene
Segomotso Palesa Motsumi
Frankie Murrey
Andrea Nattrass
Buhle Ngaba
Malika Ndlovu
Thandiwe Nqanda
Nathi Ngubane
Niq Mhlongo
Lindiwe Mngxitama
Sisonke Msimang
Sue Nyathi
Pieter Madibuseng Odendaal
Yewande Omotoso
Margie Orford
Haneef Parker
Shameez Patel
Uhuru Phalafala
Koleka Putuma
Pamela Power
Tina Redman
Megan Ross
Riyaadh Sarang
Malebo Sephodi
James Sey
Kate Sidley
Ashwin Singh
Amonge Sinxoto
Zibu Sithole
Amber Zoe Small|
Gail Smith
PEN South Africa
Pearl Squires
Anna Stroud
Leslie Swartz
Jarred Thompson
Jen Thorpe
Niren Tolsi
Mary Watson
Hamilton Wende
Wardah Wilkinson
Nala Xaba
Phillippa Yaa de Villiers
Fiona Zerbst