Last week, an Israeli delegation visited the AbaThembu King, His Majesty King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, to provide much-needed relief to the victims of the recent floods in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. The delegation pledged ongoing aid, beginning with a donation of US$10 000, to assist families still displaced almost two months after the disaster.
King Dalindyebo stated: “It would be unholy for me to reject anything that is being given to the people, not to myself. The assistance we are receiving is needed by the people.”
The King further criticized the national government’s slow response to the crisis: “I believe there is mischief in the way the ANC is handling victims, claiming to have helped and that money has reached the people, when it hasn’t. The response is pathetic. The response is that of tortoises.”
National Spokesperson of the South African Friends of Israel, Bafana Modise said: “This is a powerful reminder that while our government chooses hostility, Israel chooses humanity. Time and again, the people of Israel have demonstrated their commitment to uplift communities across our continent, and South Africa – from agricultural training that empowers rural farmers, to medical expertise shared with our doctors, and now, direct disaster relief for flood victims in Mthatha. These acts speak louder than any political rhetoric.”
Despite social and online media rhetoric, the State of Israel has a longstanding and formal policy of supporting African countries through its international development agency, MASHAV (Agency for International Development Cooperation). Established in 1958, MASHAV reflects Israel’s commitment to sharing the expertise it developed in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, and infrastructure.
Modise added: “Israel’s message is simple – when people suffer, we will stand with them. We urge all South Africans to see through the ANC’s divisive politics and recognize the hand of friendship extended by Israel. The partnership between our peoples is one of hope, dignity, and shared progress.”
Today, Israel’s development footprint extends to 43 African nations, where it delivers skills development, capacity-building, and sustainable growth initiatives. This wide-ranging engagement demonstrates that Israel’s role in Africa is not ad hoc humanitarianism, but a consistent, state-driven policy of empowerment and partnership aimed at building resilience and fostering long-term development across the continent. The recent opening on an Israeli embassy in Zambia, offers further testament to the deepening of its ties in Africa.
Despite the South African government’s dishonorable posturing towards the Holy Land, Israel’s people-to-people partnerships in South Africa continue to thrive. Sadly, the ANC has chosen to ally itself with Iran, as opposed to a country that is commited to improving the lives of the people the ANC governs.
To date, SAFI has worked alongside Israeli humanitarian organisations in food distribution projects in Soweto, clean water initiatives in KwaZulu-Natal, and educational exchanges for South African students. Each of these efforts underscores Israel’s unwavering commitment to serving those in need, irrespective of politics.
David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s very first Prime Minister, was instrumental in shaping the Holy Land’s foreign policy as it relates to providing foreign aid: “Israel has no wealth and no large expanse of land, but it does have the experience of development and nation-building. We are prepared to share this experience with all those who seek it.”
