Fallen Flowers: A Spring of Solidarity blooms in Durban
South African women came together this weekend at Fallen Flowers: A Spring of Solidarity — a heartfelt event in Durban honouring the lives lost in Gaza and the strength of Palestinian women. With powerful messages from Deborah Ewing and Sorisha Naidoo, the event was a reminder that our voices matter, and united action can bring change.
WOMEN from across South Africa gathered on Saturday at St James on Venice for a powerful programme titled “Fallen Flowers: A Spring of Solidarity”, standing in unified support of the resilience of Palestinian women and in memory of the thousands of lives lost in the Gaza conflict.
Dressed in black, with many incorporating elements of Palestinian symbolism, the attendees stood in solemn solidarity — their voices raised, their hearts united in answering the call to “transform awareness into action”. The event drew a diverse group, including businesswoman and philanthropist Sorisha Naidoo and editor and human rights activist Deborah Ewing.
Ewing delivered a sobering and emotional keynote, highlighting the ongoing siege in Gaza and the devastating toll on journalists and civilians. She underscored the power of remembrance — and the danger of silence.
“There are hundreds and thousands of names that need to be spoken. The names of people that have been silenced all over the world because they stand in the way of power,” said Ewing before honouring some of them.
Also Read: Silent call to conscience on Mandela Day
She said, “Since October 7, Israel has gone to extreme lengths to control the coverage of the genocide, the assassination of journalists. Since October 7, more than 242 journalists have been killed, that includes 31 female journalists. Most of them were killed in attacks on their homes.”
Moved into action, Naidoo called on society and women to unite against the injustice. “As women, we have the power to change so many things. I want to take the idea of Palestine, you are here today sitting in unison for one goal, for one issue and you’re moving towards it,” said Naidoo.
She urged the women to remember the power in their solidarity and strength that they wield. “We have to unify our minds, our hearts and our souls. And if we’re all doing it all the time, thinking of the end result as Palestine being wholly, wholesome and free, then that is going to happen regardless of who comes and what happens. It will happen because we will have the same goal. We all want the same thing. We’re all moving in that direction. And if everybody moves with the current, we’re definitely going to get there,” added Naidoo.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
