By Tendai Makaripe
In 1948, two epic events happened on opposite sides of the globe, defining struggles for freedom and equality for generations.
In South Africa, apartheid was officially instituted, laying the groundwork for decades of racial segregation and oppression.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Israel was created, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and the beginning of a conflict that continues to this day.
For countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa, both of which have experienced the painful realities of colonialism and apartheid, the parallels between their histories and the ongoing situation in Palestine are striking.
Zimbabwe and South Africa’s support for Palestine runs deep, and much of this stems from their shared experience of racial oppression, land dispossession, and violence under colonial rule and apartheid.
This historical connection continues to drive their political solidarity with the Palestinian people as they face what many, including international organisations, describe as a form of apartheid under Israeli occupation.
A Shared History of Struggle
The parallels between Zimbabwe’s colonial history, South Africa’s apartheid era, and Palestine’s current situation are difficult to ignore.
During Zimbabwe’s colonial period, black Africans were systematically marginalised, with their land seized by white settlers and their political rights denied.
The liberation war, which lasted from the 1960s to 1980, saw thousands of Zimbabweans sacrifice their lives in the hope of reclaiming their land and freedom.
Similarly, apartheid in South Africa, which began in 1948, subjected millions of black South Africans to racial segregation, forced removals, and economic disenfranchisement.
Both Zimbabwe and South Africa emerged from their oppressive regimes with strong memories of the brutality they endured, which deeply informs their stance on Palestine.
Liberation warfighter, and a member of the first ZANLA group to be trained in Ghana, in 1964, Joel Muzhamba described colonialism as a monster.
“The colonial system was designed to strip away the dignity of the African people, reducing them to cheap labour with no hope of equality or progress. The colonial forces were relentless in their use of force, even against unarmed civilians. Villages were bombed, homes were burned, and entire communities were uprooted in their quest to eliminate any trace of opposition,” he said.
Writing in the book, Dzino: Memories of a Freedom Fighter, late freedom fighter Wilfred Mhanda concurs with Muzhamba.
“The Rhodesian security forces treated black lives with utter contempt. They tortured, maimed, and killed with impunity. It was a reign of terror meant to crush any resistance to their oppressive rule,” wrote Mhanda
The shared experience of such degradation resonates when both countries view the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The Irony of 1948
It is tragically ironic that apartheid in South Africa officially began in 1948, the same year Israel was established—a state now accused of practising apartheid against Palestinians.
For those who fought against racial oppression in Southern Africa, this parallel is not lost.
South African political icon Nelson Mandela famously said: “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
This statement reflects the enduring bond between the struggles of Southern Africa and Palestine.
Both Zimbabwe and South Africa have consistently supported Palestinian statehood at international forums such as the United Nations and the African Union.
Efforts to get a comment from the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international trade Ambassador Albert Chimbindi were futile as his phone rang unanswered and messages were not responded to.
However, an official in the ministry cited the country’s history of oppression as a motivating factor for their unwavering support of Palestine.
“We stand with Palestine because we understand what it means to have your land taken, your rights violated, and your dignity stripped away. We have lived that reality and cannot ignore it happening elsewhere,” she said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Mafa Kwanisai Mafa, the national chairperson of the Palestinian Solidarity Council in Zimbabwe, who remarked that Zimbabwe’s history mirrors that of the Palestinians.
He noted that, like Zimbabweans during their liberation struggle, Palestinians are fighting to reclaim their ancestral lands currently occupied by Israel.
“Israel’s occupation is a form of imperialism that strongly resonates with Zimbabwe’s colonial past. The Palestinian struggle aligns with Africa’s broader anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements,” he said.
“During Zimbabwe’s liberation war, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) supported Zimbabwe. Today, Zimbabwe consistently votes in favour of Palestine at the United Nations, demonstrating its ongoing support and solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” he added.
Parallels Between Apartheid and Israeli Policies
International analysts, human rights organisations, and scholars have drawn parallels between South Africa’s apartheid system and Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
In a landmark 2021 report, Human Rights Watch declared that Israel is committing “crimes of apartheid and persecution” against Palestinians.
The report pointed to the systematic discrimination in areas such as land allocation, housing, and access to resources, which are reminiscent of the policies that existed in apartheid South Africa.
Palestinians in the occupied territories face severe restrictions on their movement, with the Israeli government implementing policies that segregate Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents.
In the West Bank, Israeli settlements continue to expand, with Palestinians often displaced from their homes to make way for settlers.
The separation wall, referred to as the “apartheid wall,” further divides Palestinians from their land and restricts their ability to travel freely.
The Palestinian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr. Tamer Almassri, highlighted these similarities in a recent interview.
“What we are experiencing in Palestine is not unlike what Africans experienced under colonialism and apartheid. The Israeli government controls every aspect of Palestinian life—our land, our movement, our access to basic resources. This is apartheid by another name, and we are grateful for the support of nations like Zimbabwe and South Africa, who understand our struggle firsthand.”
Southern Africa’s Diplomatic and Moral Responsibility
For Zimbabwe and South Africa, supporting Palestine is not just a matter of international diplomacy—it is a moral obligation born from their histories.
Both nations have taken strong stances against Israeli policies in Palestine at the United Nations, repeatedly calling for an end to the occupation and the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state.
South Africa, in particular, has been vocal in its criticism of Israel.
In 2019, South Africa downgraded its diplomatic relations with Israel, a move that was widely seen as a reflection of the country’s growing frustration with Israel’s policies.
Former South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu said: “The Israeli government has continued to violate international law and human rights, much like the apartheid regime did to us. We cannot condone this behaviour, and we stand with the Palestinian people in their quest for justice.”
Recently, South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice with evidence claiming “acts and omissions” by Israel “are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group”.
This describes what Israel is actively doing, such as carrying out air strikes, and what it is allegedly failing to do, such as, according to South Africa, preventing harm to civilians.
The claim also highlights Israeli public rhetoric, including comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as evidence of “genocidal intent”.
Similarly, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa reiterated Zimbabwe’s strong support for Palestine at the just-ended United Nations General Assembly meeting in the United States
“The international community cannot continue to turn a blind eye or be numb to the systemic injustices of the Palestinian people. We call upon the security council to fulfil its mandate by implementing robust measures that ensure the protection of civilians, upholding international law and facilitating just and lasting peace,” he said.
The Zimbabwean government has donated US$ 85,000 to the Palestinian people to help them in their time of need.
The Role of International Law and Human Rights
The international community has increasingly recognised the parallels between apartheid in South Africa and Israel’s policies in Palestine.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) defines apartheid as an “inhumane act” carried out to maintain the domination of one racial group over another.
Under this definition, many argue that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians qualifies as apartheid.
Global human rights watchdog Amnesty International noted that their investigation showed that Israel “Imposes a system of oppression and domination against Palestinians across all areas under its control: in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), and against Palestinian refugees, to benefit Jewish Israelis. This amounts to apartheid as prohibited in international law.”
International relations scholars have pointed out that the global struggle against apartheid in South Africa serves as a blueprint for international advocacy against Israeli policies.
Zimbabwean international relations analyst Tanaka Mandizvidza said: “Just as the world united against apartheid in South Africa, so too must the world unite against the oppression of Palestinians. The lessons learned from Southern Africa’s liberation movements are relevant today, and Zimbabwe and South Africa have a crucial role in mobilising global support for Palestine.”
The Future of Southern Africa-Palestine Solidarity
The experiences of colonialism and apartheid have forged a strong bond between Southern Africa and Palestine.
Zimbabwe and South Africa understand the costs of freedom and the pain of living under oppressive regimes.
This shared history continues to fuel their solidarity with the Palestinian cause, as both nations see their reflections in Palestine’s struggle for independence.
Zimbabwe and South Africa’s support for Palestine is driven by a desire to uphold the principles of justice and human rights.
The parallels between apartheid South Africa and Israel’s policies in Palestine make it impossible for these nations to remain neutral, and their support for Palestine will likely continue as long as the occupation persists.
