The Urban Futures Centre (UFC) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in partnership with 2 Suns Shamsaan will be hosting an event called Butterfly Souls. The aim of this event is to profile the loss of life and injuries suffered by the children of Palestine since 7 October 2023. The aim here is to allow children from many schools in Durban to show their solidarity and concern with the children of Palestine who have suffered death, serious injury and the loss of family. This event is set to take place at the Alliance Française de Durban, which is located in Morningside, on Saturday, 27 January 2024 from 10h00 to 13h00.

According to Professor Monique Marks, Head of the Urban Futures Centre at DUT, it is critical that as a university, DUT works with civil society groupings to profile and respond to the human rights violations that are taking place in Palestine.

“As a university, we are responsive to the needs of society, particularly those most vulnerable and marginalised. The Urban Futures Centre is emblematic of the values of DUT as stated in the ENVISION2030 strategy, which focuses on improving society through science, engagement and partnerships,” said Prof Marks.

As an engaged scholar, Prof Marks feels an imperative to work with others in finding solutions to this global problem of inequality, injustice and inhumanity. She is a strong proponent of the Ceasefire movement that is gaining massive traction worldwide, as it becomes more obvious that what the world is witnessing is a massive open air prison of a population (the people of Gaza). Prof Marks and her colleagues support South Africa in their case at the International Court of Justice.

“We stand with the South African government and human rights organisations across the world in calling for a ceasefire and in recognising the human rights violations that are taking place in Gaza. I feel particularly passionate about this as a Jewish woman who can honestly say to the Israeli government, not in my name!” said Prof Marks.

Giving insight on the Butterfly Souls event, Prof Marks stated that the event will bring together children from different schools to make butterflies, which will be dedicated to the children who have lost their lives. She further explained that each child in Durban will chose a name of one child in Palestine, whose name will be written on the butterfly. Prof Marks has confirmed that the people of Palestine are in full support of this gesture.

Prof Marks works closely with Ms Nadia Meer in highlighting the plight of Palestinian children and indeed all the people of Palestine, who have been victims of the occupation and the invasion of Gaza. Ms Nadia Meer, a Human Rights activist and Head of 2 Suns Shamsaan, a South African charity working on Palestine projects, provided more insight into her relationship with DUT. She revealed that in 2013, DUT signed Memorandum of Understandings with four universities in Palestine. These institutions were the Islamic University of Gaza in Gaza City, Palestine Technical College in Deir El-Balah, University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza City and the Palestine Technical Colleges in Khan Younis.

Meer expressed that during this period, she had also forged a network with the DUT Faculty of Arts and Design, working with Fine Art students on various product development projects which also featured the Palestinian institutions.

“We hosted the Palestinian Festival South Africa which was supported by DIRCO and the eThekwini Municipality with DUT. We showcased photography, artworks and different craft products from the Gaza strip,” added Meer.

Meer commented on the first project that 2 Suns Shamsaan and DUT were working on, explaining that there was a large number of children being killed in Palestine, which by day was a 100 and officially registered, there were 10 000 children that had been killed since 7 October 2023.

“We highlight the magnitude of the ongoing atrocities that have led to the death of over 10 000 children (and counting). This unprecedented high death rate and severity of injuries to children is staggering and unless action is taken to stop the bombardment, allow humanitarian aid, including food, water, medical supplies and fuel, the daily death toll will continue to rise. Gaza is by far the most dangerous place in the world to be a child and deaths from disease will likely surpass those from bombardment if we fail to act now,” said Meer.

Children from schools around Durban will be meeting at the Alliance Française on Saturday, 27 January from 10h00 to 12h00. They will be assisted in creating butterflies with whatever materials they prefer to use – material, paint, crayons. Parents are welcome to accompany their children while they create their butterflies. Refreshments for the children will be provided.

The butterflies that are made will be exhibited and some sent to Palestine. Others will be auctioned at an event to be held in February to fundraise. The fundraising event will go towards meeting the healthcare needs of the children of Palestine.

Pictured: Professor Monique Marks, Head of Urban Futures Centre at DUT.

Simangele Zuma