STATEMENT: MUSLIM STUDENTS’ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK

The Muslim Students’ Association of South Africa (MSA) - in its commitment to justice, freedom and equality – reaffirms it unqualified and unapologetic support and solidarity for the10^th international Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) campaign. IAW is a global series of events and campaigns that takes place in cities, campuses and communities across the world and aims to raise awareness of Israel’s apartheid policies towards the Palestinian people and serves to promote Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. IAW will take place from the 10th – 16th March in South Africa.

In addition, the 10^th Annual IAW, marks the one year anniversary of the Wits SRC’s pro-Palestinian protest against the Israeli Jazz Pianist performing at Wits where subsequently the protesting students were subjected to disciplinary action by the University .The students’ actions were viewed to be both moral and just as the performance of the pianist at Wits was in clear violation of Wits SRC’s resolution on the cultural boycott against Apartheid Israel.

As the Muslim Students’ Association we have endeavoured this year to intensify our actions for Israeli Apartheid Week and the Palestinian Struggle.  In this light, we are proud to announce that there will be 16 Universities across the country involved in IAW. MSAs’ across the country have taken the responsibility to advocate for justice in Palestine, here are some of the statements from the various universities:

MSA: University of the Witwatersrand

 “As South Africans we have the obligation to renounce Apartheid wherever it is prevalent. MSA Wits recognises that Israel is an occupying state which imposes an Apartheid regime on the people of Palestine. Therefore, it is our duty to stand up for justice for the people of Palestine. We will boycott, we will divest and we will impose sanctions on the illegal state of Israel.”

MSA: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

"MSA NMMU stands point and fully supports International Israeli Apartheid Week that aims to raise awareness about Israel's apartheid policies towards Palestinians. We take it upon ourselves to be a part of the Palestinian liberation struggle and call upon all other supportive organizations to do the same."

MSA: North West University

“This year will be the first year that IAW will be brought to our campus. We are starting off on a relatively small scale but our main aim is to create awareness around campus and hopefully increase its magnitude in the upcoming years.”

MSA: North West University Vaal Triangle

“MSA NWU Vaal Triangle Campus is in support of IAW...NWU MSA is hosting IAW to spread awareness that we have walked a path long and difficult to get where we are and that apartheid and discrimination will never ever be accepted.”

MSA: University of Johannesburg

"The Muslim Students Association at the University of Johannesburg is proud to say that we are in full support of IAW 2014 and all previous and currently existing efforts that support and bring awareness to the atrocities done to the people of Palestine. The Zionist rule of Israel has led many wronged, wounded and murdered. This effort to bring about justice is fully supported by the PYA structures (Progressive Youth Alliance) on campuses around the country."

MSA: University of Cape Town

"We, the Muslim Students' Association of the University of Cape Town, hereby pledge our full support to IAW. We are against the Zionist state of Israel and the oppression against our fellow brothers and sisters of Palestine. We will do everything in ability to display our support and raise awareness to our peers at UCT. We, as human beings, cannot ignore the situation and will not tolerate anything less than total liberation for the people of Palestine..."

MSA: MSA UKZN Medical School

“As the Muslim Students' Association of the University of KwaZulu Natal, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, we recognise the injustice that is being inflicted upon our brothers and sisters in Palestine. In the upcoming Israeli Apartheid week, we have full intention to participate wholeheartedly in activities to show our sturdy support against the inhumane conditions that Palestinians are being subjected to. The UKZN Medical School MSA is in full support of the Israeli Apartheid week and anti-Zionism, and we pledge to open as many people’s eyes to the truth, to boycott Israel and emancipate Palestine”

MSA has joined numerous other organisations, including: African National Congress, the South African Student Congress, South African Union of Students, Jamiat-Ul-Ulema, Congress of South African Trade Unions, Muslim Judicial Council, ANC Youth League and South African Council of Churches in its support of IAW.

In the spirit of IAW, MSA Union of South Africa reaffirms its support to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. We believe that the global BDS Movement is making tremendous gains in the struggle to isolate Israel due to its apartheid policies of systematic oppression and repression of Palestinians

In this tone, we call upon and demand upon all peace loving South Africans and the global peace loving activist to assist us in efforts and activism to respond to the 1) call of Palestinians 2) to isolate Israel until the Apartheid State of Israel is deconstructed3) ensure that Israel complies with International Law and finally responds to the call of the Palestinians.

The call, which was issued in Ramallah (2005), makes three demands, in which the progressive forces of South African for Palestine affirms and enforces;

1.    Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967 and dismantling the Wall;

2.    Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and

3.    Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.

MSA understands the injustice of the past and the lessons learnt from the anti-apartheid struggle and we realise the value of international solidarity.  In the international solidarity movement, our attitude and actions towards the Palestinian struggle for liberation plays an important role in determining the success that we will have in assisting to change the realities of Palestine and other countries that are plagued by the wretches of colonialism, occupation and apartheid.

No longer can we remain indifferent to the glaring reality of the unjust and racialist Apartheid Israel and its policies on innocent Palestinians!

For the full IAW South Africa schedule, see the link here: 
http://www.bdssouthafrica.com/2011/02/israeli-apartheid-week-2014-full.html

Keep up to date with activities and join the social media revolution for #IsraeliApartheidWeek:

Follow on Twitter: @MSA_Union

Facebook: MSA UNION

Statement issued by Yusuf Talia, President and Sumayya Omar, Political Officer, of the MSA Union of South Africa

Yusuf Talia : Yusuf.Talia@msa.org.za 071-677-2391

Sumayya Omar: sumz01@hotmail.co.za  071-456-5104

Union's Israeli Apartheid Week 2014 - #IAW2014

IAW - Israeli Apartheid Week 2014

The IAW 2014 campaign is an international campaign, administered and brought to various countries by the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Movement. This is a special year for the IAW campaign as it marks the 10th successive year and it has truly been a progressive journey through the last 10 years. MSA Union is an active alliance of BDS and coordinates, supports and actively hosts programs across South Africa. This year there are 15 MSA Chapters, Spread nationally at their various respective campuses and cities that will be actively participating in the IAW 2014 campaign, hosting events, screenings, speakers and much more , and in collaboration with various co-hosts such as PSA , PSF, PSC and PYA Structures among others, IAW 2014 is running from the 10th March - 16 March 2014. For MSA Union IAW 2014 content such as the IAW Launch Videos, Posters and the official IAW 2014 Manual which are all available for download at the current interim site www.msa.org.za.

#IAW2014

Below is an article which was published in the WITS Newspaper authored by Nabeel Seedat, Heading the politics portfolio for MSA Wits, term of 2014:

Why it matters

When bulldozers arrived to demolish her home, in the Israeli controlled West Bank, 14-year-old Palestinian girl, Salha Hamadin begged her imaginary friend to take her somewhere safe and far away. This was the basis of a fairytale which would capture the world’s imagination and Salha would win the “Hans Christian Andersen – Fairytale Bay” prize for it.

The Israeli-Palestinian issue is one that should matter. Whether you have any political opinions or not. Whether you feel that the people of Palestine suffer under an oppressive Apartheid or not.  Whether you just want good in the world – the Israeli-Palestinian issue should matter to you.

We don’t need to take sides – or reduce it to a place filled with problems and crises – in order for it to matter.

The Israeli- Palestinian issue should matter to ALL Witsies because real people are suffering. People with their dignity, their culture, their frailties, their smiles, their dreams and their laughs. People just like you and I.

No matter what your opinion is, let’s think about it, care just a little and hopefully you’ll realise that Palestine matters, because Salha Hamadin matters.

From the 10^th-16^th of March, the PSC supported by the MSA are hosting Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) on the Library Lawns. Pass by and show that you care and that it matters to you.

MSA Union supports World Hijab Day on 1st February 2014

MSA Union supports World Hijab Day on 1st February 2014

World Hijab Day kicked off last year on the 1st February 2013, an initiative started by Sister Nazma Khan. She is a born Bangladeshi, who moved to the USA at a young age. Her Hijab was her anchor and pride, but to those who did not understand and accept it, it was the complete opposite. Many young girls and ladies around the world go through this struggle of intolerance to the Hijab when in fact wearing the Hijab is a choice, a right and a beautiful blessing.

The meaning of the Hijab is a veil of modesty to cover ones physical self which is a practice done by Muslim women according to the guidelines of Islam.  It is the headscarf or veil worn by the Muslim women. It can also be used to describe the veiling or seclusion of women in some Islamic societies, customarily practiced in order to maintain standards of modesty.

This year, we stand together in support of the World Hijab Day movement. We invite all our Muslim and non-Muslim friends, sisters, colleagues and mothers to spend a day in wearing the Hijab as to experience this wonderful gift.  This grants us an opportunity to learn tolerance towards each other, to gain an understanding of the practice and spread the word of peace. Join our sisters in over 100 countries in spreading the word and engaging in the better understanding of Hijab.

With recent happenings in the world, like talk of banning of the Hijab in some countries, it is important that we display that Hijab remains the choice of the individual- a choice that should not be taken away from any individual. It should not be a burden or obstacle. We should not feel judged for wanting to wear this garment so let us break the glass ceiling in a positive way and invite others to our beautiful way of Hijab.

We would like to encourage you to be part of this movement in the following ways:

1. Invite and encourage a sister (Muslim or non- Muslim to wear the Hijab on this day but also explain to them the beauty of the Hijab when doing so
2. Visit the World Hijab Day facebook page and post a little story about your experience through Hijab so that others may be inspired https://www.facebook.com/WorldHijabDay
3. If MSAs are able to hand out a few scarves to ladies in their surroundings as gifts when inviting them to join World Hijab Day this would be awesome!
4. Join us on twitter on Fri, 31st Jan 2014 at 8 pm as we spread the word and invite all to join World Hijab Day
5. Support this movement directly or indirectly according to your means

Please check out this link for more information on how this all started and be inspired!

YouTube video by Nazma Khan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fgohZYqbmE

World Hijab Day website: http://worldhijabday.com/

Yours in Islam

Shukran Jazeelan

Nasreen Hamdulay

Head of Community and Social Outreach

MSA Union of South Africa

 

Statement: MSA Union Supports Egypt Anti-Coup Pro-Legitimacy Protest.

Statement: Union of Muslim Students’ Association of South Africa support the call by The Anti-Coup Pro-Legitimacy National Alliance and the Egyptian community in South Africa

23rd January 2014

The Union of Muslim Students’ Association of South Africa (MSA Union) - in our commitment to support the oppressed peoples in the world and to advocate for social, political and economic justice -  support the call by the anti-coup pro-legitimacy national alliance and Egyptian community in South Africa. The anti-coup pro-legitimacy national alliance is a “movement that emerged in response to the violent Coup that took place in Egypt a few months ago. A coup that has Overthrown the first democratically elected president, committed merciless massacres, silenced opposing voices, abolished the peoples will that has been mechanized through five different democratic elections and referenda, abrogated all gains of the January 25 Revolution and reinstated Mubarak's authoritarian regime”.

MSA has witnessed the events unfold in Egypt with great dismay as the democratically elected President Dr Muhammed Morsi was illegally removed from his office by a military coup. We take a position that supports legitimacy in Egypt. The banning of the Muslim brotherhood is indeed a travesty of justice. The revolution on January 25th was a historic moment in time when world watched Hosni Mubarak step down and the hope for democratic process was born in the hearts of every Egyptian citizen.

We commend the people of Egypt, many of whom youth and students who sought freedom, liberation, justice, and the right to self- determination in the initial protests against the brutal Mubarak regime. We also commend those who have refused to participate in the recent military sponsored referendum. The oppressors have claimed the right to rule, ousting a legitimate president, pretending democracy. We reflect on the words of the poet Voltaire who said, “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”

We celebrate the courage of the people of Egypt who are rising up against oppression and in honouring our fellow comrades we demand accountability from their oppressors and stand in solidarity with the citizenry who are taking a stand against the illegitimate military regime. We also stand with members of the Muslim Brotherhood and anti-coup protestors that are currently undergoing imprisonment and torture at the hands of the same regime.

MSA Union supports the peaceful protest taking place on Saturday, January 25th, 2014. This day will be commemorated internationally on the anniversary of the revolution. Our alliance seeks the support of diverse array of groups in South Africa. We encourage the wider South African community and our constituency to support this action in the spirit of Justice as Egyptian people strive against dictatorship. 

              

Statement issued by MSA Union of South Africa

For more information, contact:

Yusuf Talia, President - MSA Union of South Africa, Yusuf.Talia@msa.org.za

Raeesa Ghoor, Secretary General - MSA Union of South Africa, raeesaghoor@gmail.com

The Muslim Students' Association (MSA) was established in 1973. It has grown to be one of the largest student representative bodies in South Africa. The MSA aims to assist in developing students and creating an active citizenship. This is done by developing structures to create a national and influential student representative body, leadership development programs, advocating for social, political and economic justice through campaigns, social projects and humanitarian initiatives that are all student based.

We thank Iram Yousuf for her contribution to this statement.

Tributes For Tata - MSA UNION

We, The MSA UNION bid farewell to Nelson Mandela , together with the nation and the world. The messages above , are echoed through the hearts of many. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the Mandela family and pray for the strength to rise up to the task of honouring his legacy.

The death of Former President Mandela and the subliminal looming election banner “Vote ANC, Do it For Mandela”

My Opinion:

Sumayya Omar,
Head of Politics, South Africa and International Affairs
10- 12- 2013

The death of Former President Mandela and the subliminal looming election banner “Vote ANC, Do it For Mandela”

“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why i sleep for the eternity”- Nelson Mandela 

His magically slow, husky and rather entertaining voice which we all try to impersonate will be echoed in eternity. Mabiba shirts will become a worldwide trend, the Madiba dance (of the slow arm movements) will become part of South African Youth moves. History books in the world will be rewritten but most importantly generations will be born and reborn, inebriated with the spirit of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

When mourning the death of former president Nelson Mandela, do not mourn only for his death. Realise through Mandela’s death the other unspoken and forgotten leaders, realise that Mandela was amongst those great leaders who awoke their people for the call of the forward march against white domination. Friends all, mourn the fact that he was the last cadre of his generational leadership who stood in the forefront, regardless of the concrete walls and chains that surrounded him for 27 years. His death signals a closure for those colossal generational leaders and leadership of his time who actively fought against the apartheid regime. 

I have attended many protests in South Africa and especially in Gauteng where majority of the chants of the struggle that are sung at these various protest are hardly ever about Nelson Mandela. After many protest (chants) about Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani, Steve Biko, capitalism, socialism, I had addressed a comrade and questioned why masses hardly sing about Tata. She replied and said that whilst he was the leader of the struggle, he was imprisoned and away. Thus actively on the ground it was leaders like Oliver Tambo, Steve Biko, and Walter Sisulu etc. who continuously joined the ranks of the struggle and fought amongst the masses against the system. Those were the leaders who not only visited and resided in the Bantustans where the system had repressed them but these leaders had addressed the masses and continuously restored hope.

This is why there are more songs sung about them rather than Mandela - but the masses never lost hope in Mandela as they knew that whilst Winnie was leading a militant struggle he would eventually bring freedom, justice and equality.

Tata Mandela is their saviour and hero. A  man who unapologetically, through a negotiated process, had created and led for a condition that would be a South Africa, for the people of South Africa. It was often his ability to listen to the apartheid government with simplistic demand that the way forward, would be a peaceful, democratic and cohesive transition; which crushed the buffer zones and barriers between the reality of the blacks, the reality of whites and the reality of the world on South Africa.  It was his functional words and actions that made us humans realise that you and I, black man and white man can live together.

Apartheid has made us conscious about our physical appearance and colour but for all of us we cannot deny that we have come into a warm and embracing South Africa regardless of our social ills. People expected many things after apartheid, the expectation of eradication of inequality of class, race, and gender. Worryingly somehow South Africa is experiencing a deficit in ‘unity of leadership and purpose’. For one, we cannot say that we don’t inculcate unity of leadership and purpose because we are still a learning infant democracy.

Today is the fourth day of the 10 days mourning period of Comrade Nelson Mandela as well as the official mourning day. Our comrades are on the streets mourning the death of Nelson Mandela, reminiscing the days Madiba stood up on those same streets advocating for freedom, justice and equality. There are others who have written articles and made statements about his death; in doing so highlighting his symbolic meaning, creating the perfect picture and colouring the faultless description of Mandela by the tributes and actions they are paying to him.

In my view, what more can be said about Nelson Mandela? No man, no country, nor any statesmen can tell you about your leader. We have all met Mandela, because we are living in a country that he has fought for and perceived through his eyes the dreams and vision of South Africa that is in peace with itself. No individualistic view about Tata is more important than yours because we have all subjectively experienced and related to Tata to our own selves! But collectively those views are ample enough to write a biography of Mandela by all peoples of the world who have been touched by him, which is to be archived in all libraries of the world- serving as the engine for his legacy to be echoed in eternity.

In 1993 the world and South Africa bided farewell to two great men of the struggle. The first being a man which Nelson Mandela referred to as one of the greatest ‘giants’ who walked the globe, a globe inherited with hatred that is learned from both World Wars and the Cold War and continuation of minority rule over a majority people, regardless of entering a new era of human security. That year we said: “Hamba Kahle People’s Leader” in which Nelson Mandela delivered a speech at Comrade Oliver Reginald Tambo’s (1917-1993) funeral. Mandela said: “We say he has departed. But can we allow him to depart while we live!”  So peoples of the world, I ask you , can we allow Tata to depart the soil of this earth as well as the heart of ourselves until the ideals of a peaceful, just, transparent and equal South Africa, Africa, Palestine and the World is realised?

The other great man of the struggle, the revolutionary and internationalist commander, who was assassinated in 1993, was comrade Chris Hani. At his funeral Mandela said:” The struggle is far from over. You are our soldiers of peace, our army for the elections that will transform this country. Go back to your homes, your regions, and organise as never before. Together, we are invincible. That is how we will pay the greatest tribute we can to Chris Hani freedom in South Africa. Let Chris Hani live on through all of us”.  Thus being dubbed by Mandela as the armies of South Africa with a transformative nature and it being less than five months until the 5^th General Elections; have we transformed South Africa along the lines of ‘development as freedom’, not only employing our political freedoms or ensuring political equality of the notion ‘one man, one vote’ but rather as armies have we strived towards socioeconomic freedoms? Championing the issues of the working class movement and fighting for development of the underdeveloped?

In 2003 again the world and South Africa bided farewell to one of the dedicated anti-apartheid leaders, comrade Walter Sisulu. At Walter Sisulu’s funeral, Nelson Mandela described him as the “spear of the nation”. He said: “The spear of the nation has fallen... let us pick up the spear, to build a country after the example that Walter Sisulu has set for us.” This year Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe delivered a memorial lecture on the life of Walter Sisulu at the University of South Africa, in May. He highlighted the strides of Walter Sisulu in advocating for education throughout the struggle speared through the platform of the South African Student Congress. Comrade Motlanthe said:” He knew that education was not only the means to rise in the world but one of the most potent weapons in the struggle for equality”. So peoples of the world, I ask you, how much have we dedicated to educate the poor, marginalised and under-privileged to create an equal society? We cannot bid farewell to Walter Sisulu because we are far from reaching equilibrium in education for all. 

10 years later, on the 05 of December 2013, we have begun to bid farewell to a Nelson Mandela.  A man who openly criticised and condemned presidents for their employment of violence to bring a peaceful solution, yet these statesmen will be attending his Funeral i.e. Former President George Bush.

Whilst leadership cannot be concretely defined as containing specific traits, values and skills, good leadership is dependent on the social, political and economic context of the time and goals of a collective rather than the leader himself. For Mandela it was realising the pleading of his people as a leader (before and during imprisonment) through his comprehensive speech and patience, the ideal of a South Africa for all as a non-racist and non-sexist society and the goal to destroy the apartheid regime.

Nevertheless South Africa is alive as a rainbow nation because Mandela along with the generational leaders and founders of the ANCYL had surrendered and dedicated their life to human solidarity, reconciliation and truth. We are alive because it was comrade Mandela who had not incited revenge on the white people of South Africa – he preached that we should hate the system rather than hating on colour.

So in 2013, a year before we collectively reach 20 years of democracy – the body of Nelson Mandela has died but his legacy and spirit lives on. I, for one, am concerned about our President Jacob Zuma’s speech at his Funeral. President Zuma (being only the second president after Nelson Mandela) under his leadership in a democratic has had the highest corruption levels, controversies i.e. State information Bill/ E-toll law and is slowly ensuring a decline in public confidence in the ANC.

In addition, bringing in an awkward twist to the solemn mood, we question already if he would have the audacity during the run up of the next election to deploy the idea that his cadres should encourage voters to vote for the ANC under the banner” Vote ANC, Do it for Mandela”.

Frantz Fanon concludes the leadership of today: “During the struggle for liberation the leader awakened the people and promised them a forward march, heroic and unmitigated. Today, he uses every means to put them to sleep, and three or four times a year asks them to remember the colonial period and to look back on the long way they have come since then”

It would suffice to say that Nelson Mandela’s life was led for us to learn from, he led by an example. In 1999 he didn’t run for a second term in office, this is an example for African leaders that tyranny cannot be bestowed upon the country and her countrymen after the struggle of independence has been accomplished.  

South Africans once again will need time to reconcile, face the truth and justly mourn their Former President’s Death. Being servants to the cause of justice, freedom and equality- we have a duty to realise that if we cannot learn from Mandela, or respect the past then how will we be able to build a South Africa which our historic leaders have fought for?

We cannot create another Mandela but what we can do is draw from his strengths and critically identify his weaknesses to create “transformative leadership” that will eventually ensure, for example, unity of purpose. We must acknowledge the turning point and the greatest teaching of Mandela is that he brought blacks and whites on the same foothold.  For the ANC, Nelson Mandela’s death should be the reason for introspection and a catharsis. It should serve as a subliminal message that democracy and the South Africa that Mandela envisioned is slipping under their personality based leadership and internal political feuds.

OPINION PIECE BY Sumayya Omar : MSA UNION Head of Politics, South African & International Affairs

STATEMENT: Union of Muslim Students' Association remembers and honours Nelson Mandela

6 December 2013

STATEMENT: UNION OF MUSLIM STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION REMEMBERS AND HONOURS NELSON MANDELA

               
The Union of Muslim Students’ Association would like to express extreme sadness at the passing away of anti apartheid stalwart and Former President Mr Nelson Mandela, who passed away last night, 5 December 2013, at the age of 95. Nelson Mandela, a beloved leader of our nation, was a global icon of the struggle for freedom and compassionate leadership, and his passing is indeed a great loss to South Africa and the world. The MSA sends its condolences to the Mandela family during this difficult period, and to our nation as a whole.

Nelson Mandela, also known as Tata Madiba, stood firmly against injustice and oppression and sacrificed 27 years of his life in prison with other struggle heroes and freedom fighters. His commitment to the ideals of freedom and justice extended beyond South Africa’s liberation from the oppressive apartheid regime as he continued to dedicate his life towards humanity and humanitarian causes post-1994. The legacy he leaves behind is one of reconciliation, struggle and hope, which will undoubtedly echo through the generations to continue to inspire South Africans to contribute to building a nation that lives true to his legacy.

Mandela’s persistent struggle for freedom earned him the world’s respect, yet his humility, compassion and humanity earned him the world’s love. A person of Madiba’s stature and the immense dignity with which he led and conducted all his affairs is a scarcity, and we are a generation fortunate enough to witness the possibility that we can truly live united and tolerant of others. To dedicate a life in the service of humanity is an inherently Islamic concept that we have a responsibility and duty to carry out.

We are truly and wholeheartedly grateful to Madiba for his role in enabling us to have religious freedom to live and prosper as Muslims, amidst a host of other things, in this country, and we pray that future leaders will strive to embody the same compassion and vision for which Mandela had strove.

In the words of Thabo Mbeki, Mandela's passing should remind us to commit ourselves selflessly to address the many challenges we face in today’s times."President Mandela and his generation discovered the mission of their generation. They were at all times faithful to it, as a result of which they fulfilled it.

Let us continue to remember the legacy of Nelson Mandela and the ideals he stood for, and let us continue to commit to striving towards our collective ideals for a better South Africa and a better world. Today we honour, appreciate and remember Nelson Mandela.

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” ― Nelson Mandela

Issued by Union of Muslim Students’ Associations

For more information, contact:

Yusuf Talia, President of Union of Muslim Students’ Associations, yusuf.talia@hotmail.com, 071 677 2391

Khadeeja Manjra, Vice President of Union of Muslim Students’ Associations, kmanjra@gmail.com, 071 351 2094