ANC endorses terror with ‘martyrs’ rally

An African National Congress (ANC) branch has imported Hamas and Hezbollah’s jihadist “martyrdom” culture to South African shores by inviting the public to honour “their martyrs”, Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The ANC Cape Town branch was scheduled to hold an event titled, “Honouring our martyrs: a tribute to courage and sacrifice” on Wednesday, 30 October, to honour these terrorist leaders who were assassinated in recent months.

The event poster, with photos of the three men, called for people to “join us in honouring the lives of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the people of Palestine”.

“The ruling ANC persists in viewing Hamas and Hezbollah as legitimate liberation movements,” said Ray Hartley, research director of the Brenthurst Foundation. “This is plainly not the case, as these organisations actively use terror tactics and are anti-democratic. South Africa would be better served by living up to its claim to be a ‘peace-seeking’ country that abhors violence and wants to achieve negotiated solutions. Referring to these leaders as ‘our martyrs’ represents an endorsement of their methods, which are antithetical to South Africa’s identity as a peaceful democracy.”

Hussein Solomon, senior professor in the department of political science at the University of the Free State, said using the term “our martyrs” “possibly points to the fact that the ANC has essentially adopted the ideology and the discourse of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah”.

The gathering was to be hosted by the ANC Robert Waterwitch-Thornhill branch at the Ghousia Manzil event venue in Cape Town. This branch was founded by current ANC Western Cape provincial spokesperson and leader of the opposition in the Western Cape legislature, Muhammad Khalid Sayed, and remains closely associated with him.

Sayed was one of the people who came out in support for Muslim Judicial Council President Sheikh Riad Fataar’s “We are Hamas” statement in early September 2024. When Nasrallah was assassinated, Sayed reinforced the martyrdom culture, saying “a revolutionary pillar and man of faith has fallen. He now joins the garden of selfless servants whom he so dearly loved.”

Speakers at the 30 October event included Ronnie Kasrils, who has proudly stated how “pleased” he is that Hamas butchered innocent civilians on 7 October, and Arab Barghouti, the son of prominent Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti. The latter was convicted of five counts of murder in 2004. In February 2024, the younger Barghouti told South Africa’s Eyewitness News, “Netanyahu has been very clear, he doesn’t want to end the genocide of Gaza.”

South Africa doesn’t categorise Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist groups, which is in direct opposition to its legislation combatting terrorism. The South African Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act criminalises acts of terrorism and terrorist financing, and specifies international co-operation obligations. It’s important to note that South Africa is still on the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list because of its failure to combat terrorist financing.

Hartley wrote at the time that the ANC expressed support for Fataar: “Doubling down on Hamas is a curious direction for the ANC at a time when South Africa is endeavouring to patch up its relationship with the United States [US], and when the departure of Dr Naledi Pandor as minister offers a break with Tehran’s foreign policy scriptures.”

Analyst Dr Frans Cronje said, “Regarding the US, there’s concern at the actions and influence of some actors in South Africa. You’ve seen that in the review Congress has sought of the relationship with South Africa. But I also think there’s a balance of official opinion on South Africa, that seeks to play down the influence of malign actors. A lot will hinge on future control of the White House and Congress. If that control is blue, then malign South African actors will be granted a significant degree of space to operate. If it’s red, that space will become constrained.”

Solomon said he believed that “there’s a deeper intellectual malaise in the ANC in that it cannot come up with an alternative discourse which reflects South Africa’s national interests. If it was pro-peace, it would use a more neutral discourse. But the ANC is fundamentally stuck in this ideological 1960s prism, from which it can’t move. I’m not sure how South Africa could possibly be seen as an honest broker in this conflict, without any perception of what’s in our national interests as a country.”

South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) spokesperson Rolene Marks said, “The SAZF vehemently condemns the ANC’s decision to honour Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah, whose legacies are steeped in terrorism and unspeakable atrocities.

“Haniyeh was a pivotal figure in orchestrating attacks that resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians. Under his leadership, Hamas committed egregious acts such as using Palestinian civilians as human shields and executing alleged collaborators in brutal public displays. His regime’s systematic abuses, including torture and extrajudicial killings, exemplify a governance steeped in fear and oppression.

“Sinwar’s role in orchestrating the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust cannot be overstated. The suffering endured by innocent families stands as a testament to his barbarity.

“Nasrallah engineered a campaign of terror that included the dismemberment and starvation of civilians in Syria and the execution of political opponents in Lebanon. His forces have engaged in heinous sectarian killings, and have been responsible for bombing civilians. His direct involvement in the assassination of prominent Lebanese figures highlights his ruthless quest for power.

“It’s inconceivable,” Marks said, “that an ANC branch is honouring three men who are recognised internationally as terrorists and who not only terrorised Israelis but also Syrians, Lebanese, and others across the region. For Ronnie Kasrils, who celebrated 7 October, to honour these people is an absolute disgrace, and should be roundly condemned.”

Dr Glen Segell, professor at the University of Cambridge, said, “It’s disconcerting that the ANC continues to glorify violence and honour murderers, clearly motivated by anti-Zionism and antisemitism. Steps towards Palestinian statehood have been set back by these so-called martyrs. It’s despicable that Ronnie Kasrils is speaking at this event, given that the victims of their violence over the past 40 years have been mainly Jewish. Does he and the ANC see them as ‘our’ martyrs because of the Jews killed? This is one more nail in the coffin for the ANC’s foreign policy, that others in the government of national unity should distance themselves from.”

South African Jewish Board of Deputies National Chairperson Professor Karen Milner said, “This grotesque glorification of characters who epitomise violence reflects on the organisers of this event. To hold these men in esteem reflects the warped beliefs of those who would participate in it. It’s no surprise that Ronnie Kasrils, who described the 7 October pogrom as ‘a brilliant, spectacular guerilla warfare attack’, would be part of this hideous tribute.”

“Celebrating such individuals sends an outrageous message that the ANC endorses violence and terror as acceptable tools for political expression,” Marks said. “The SAZF calls on the ANC to reject this ANC branch’s glorification of inhumanity, and instead promote peace, justice, and respect for all lives. We stand with those who seek a future free from the shackles of terror and oppression.”