Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, the grandson of the late South African president and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, was recently in Chicago. Mr. Mandela is an elected member of the South African National Assembly, tribal chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council. He toured the U.S. from May 15-May 20, speaking in several cities in support of solidarity with the Palestinian people and in recognition of Nakba Day.
The tour was hosted by the United States Palestine Community Network (USPCN) in partnership with the National Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression (NAARPR). Mr. Mandela was in Chicago on May 20. Tour stops also included Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
“This speaking tour honors the memory of all Palestinians who suffered crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide as a result of the Nakba now in its 75th year,” Mr. Mandela was quoted as saying according to mandelatour.com. “With more than 400 Palestinian villages massacred and destroyed, seven million refugees in the Palestinian diaspora denied the right of return, and thousands of political prisoners languishing in Apartheid Israel jails, it is time to hold those responsible to account,” he added.
—The Final Call
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