The seven South African delegates who will embark on the Global Sumud Flotilla's 2026 Spring Mission to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Image: Graphic: Chumani Mazwi
Seven South African delegates will embark on the Global Sumud Flotilla's (GSF) Spring 2026 Mission to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Last week, the delegates, who hail from KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town, left for Turkiye to prepare before embarking on their journey this year.
According to the global movement, their mission aims not only to break Israel's illegal siege and deliver life-saving humanitarian aid but also to establish a sustained civilian presence.
The Spring Mission currently comprises delegations from 56 countries committed to sailing to Gaza.
Teams of doctors, nurses, eco-builders, war crimes investigators, unarmed civilian protectors and others will disembark to work alongside the Palestinian people.
In September 2025, 42 boats and 462 people sailed across the Mediterranean in a civilian, nonviolent mission to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza and stand with the Palestinian people.
Qutb Hendricks
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Meet the South African delegates:
- Qutb Hendricks is a chef, entrepreneur, and humanitarian.
He holds a Bachelor of business administration and a Master of business administration, complemented by an international professional chef certification.
Hendricks regularly cooks outdoors on the fire for charity distributions and has been doing so for decades.
His work extends beyond the kitchen into advocacy, where he actively engages in humanitarian initiatives, demonstrating a deep commitment to social justice and community upliftment.
The father of three’s belief in global solidarity for human rights and justice has motivated him to respond to the call to join the mission.
Yusuf Rahman
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- Yusuf Rahman is a business strategist, videographer and humanitarian. His commitment to family drives his dedication to community building.
Rahman has an undergraduate degree in Islamic finance, business, and law, specialising in ethical investment frameworks, building his expertise in security consultancy to manage complex, high-stakes projects with strategic discipline.
He believes in building “The Conscious Citizen: identifying as a common citizen with a conscience who believes ordinary people must rise against injustice”.
Rahman is also a young media activist, focusing on storytellers using video production to amplify unheard voices and document social realities.
These are the skills that he hopes will assist in telling the stories of Palestinians and of the humanitarian catastrophe they are facing, as well as contributing to strengthening the Global Sumud mission.
Mogamed Faeek Ariefdien
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- Mogamed Faeek Ariefdien is a stalwart of the anti-apartheid struggle.
He said his activism started in the schoolyard. Ariefdien fought the apartheid system and continued the fight while in exile.
Upon his return, he continued studying and obtained a Bachelor of arts degree at the University of the Western Cape.
Over the years, Ariefdien continued to support community organisations and solidarity movements. He believes that his purpose in life is to carry the torch for the oppressed and vulnerable and contribute in whatever form possible towards justice and dignity.
Nkosi Zulu
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- Nkosi Zulu said his roots are in the struggle, in faith and in the fight for liberation of the oppressed, to achieve the objective of uBuntu. He is a descendant of the people who survived apartheid.
In July 2025, Zulu visited the occupied Palestinian territories and returned with an understanding of the apartheid conditions imposed on Palestinians by the Israeli regime.
He has toured several South African universities and communities since his visit, aiming to raise awareness about Palestine and the discrimination suffered by its people.
Ebrahim Peters
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- Ebrahim Peters is a young activist. He studied Arabic and Islamic Law at Al-Azhar University, Egypt.
In 2011, he joined the Africa 1 Aid Convoy (South African leg), which inspired him to become actively involved in community and humanitarian efforts.
In 2015, with the late Moulana Ihsaan Hendricks, Ebrahim attended the International Palestinian conference in Turkiye.
He said that experience had a deep impact on him and led to his involvement with the International Youth for Palestine. Through this, he attended numerous conferences and had the opportunity to meet prominent leaders.
Over the years, Peters has been consistent in humanitarian work not only in South Africa but also in countries like Syria and Bangladesh. In June 2025, he was part of the Global March to Gaza in Egypt.
Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha'irah
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-Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha'irah is a Master's student and public health researcher's assistant.
She currently serves as the chairperson of the Palestine Solidarity Association at the University of the Western Cape and on the planning group for Dismantle The Ivory Tower.
Al-Tha'irah said being a Bornfree South African in particular pushed her even more to stand up.
“I am reminded that I would not be living in a free, democratic South Africa if it weren't for those that stood before me. We must remember and recognise our history and use the ways of those before us to fight the injustice of today. For none of us are free until all of us are free.”
Faizel Moosa
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-Faizel Moosa is an ambassador, humanitarian, political activist, and veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle, with decades of experience in leadership, security, and public service.
His work is rooted in a lifelong commitment to justice and human rights, with a particular focus on global humanitarian struggles, including Palestine.
Drawing on both his political and diplomatic experience in the Middle East, he continues to advocate for dignity, accountability, and international solidarity.
The GSF Spring 2026 mission departed from Barcelona, Spain, on April 12, 2026, with further vessels departing from Sicily, Italy, on April 26, 2026.