Hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters have taken part in a solidarity march along the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town to protest against the killing of journalists in Gaza.  

Various organisations, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and Gift of the Givers participated in the march.  

More than 200 media workers and reporters have been killed in Gaza since Israeli bombardments in the strip began in October 2023.  

The PSC coordinator, Usuf Chikte has called on South African journalists and the world to show solidarity with those killed.  

“We are calling on journalists, especially, to stand in solidarity with their fellow comrades, with their fellow journalists in Palestine, South Africa and internationally. We call on South African journalists to report through the Press Council to ensure that they get the necessary training to report on the genocide.” 

A member of the South African Jews for a Free Palestine, Megan Choritz also added her voice. “Today’s march is different because today’s march is in solidarity with journalists, which means we are recognising journalists and the insanity of being targeted and assassinated in Gaza, so that they don’t tell the truth. So, we are going to march in solidarity with all journalists everywhere to be able to speak the truth, so they are able to do their jobs.” 

 A medical volunteer from the humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers, Nazreena Hassim, called for justice. 

“We stand here in solidarity with today’s march against the genocide in Gaza. This cause is deeply personal to us as we have been underground in Palestine since 2009, and we have lost many of our team members in the line of duty. We are especially raising our voices for the journalists who risk and sacrifice their lives to bear witness to the truth. Their courage ensures that the world cannot look away. We are here to honour their bravery, to demand justice and to call for the end of this inhumanity.” 

 Al-Jazeera journalist, Aziz Younis, read the last will and testament of Anas Jamal Al-Sharif, who was killed in August.  

“On the 10th of August Al-Sharif was killed along with four other journalists and two civilians in an Israeli airstrike targeting him and other journalists in a tent outside the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.” 

VIDEO | Silent March for targeted and assassinated Gaza journalists