--- title: "Supporters welcome home South African activists after Global Sumud Flotilla interception" description: "Six South African activists who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla were met by supporters at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park on 8 October 2025. Daily Maverick photographer Felix Dlangamandla was there to capture the scenes." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "PHOTO ESSAY" author: "Felix Dlangamandla" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/felix-dlangamandla/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-10-09-photo-essay-flotilla/" published: "2025-10-09T22:56:32" updated: "2025-10-10T00:14:48" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 288 --- # Supporters welcome home South African activists after Global Sumud Flotilla interception > Six South African activists who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla were met by supporters at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park on 8 October 2025. Daily Maverick photographer Felix Dlangamandla was there to capture the scenes. By Felix Dlangamandla · Published 10 October 2025, 00:56 SAST · Updated 10 October 2025, 02:14 SAST ## Key points - In a heartwarming reunion at OR Tambo International Airport, supporters waved flags and embraced the Global Sumud Flotilla activists. - The Global Sumud Flotilla activists received a warm welcome at OR Tambo International Airport on October 8, 2025, with scores of supporters present. - Emotional reunions were highlighted, including Mandla Mandela embracing his wife and activists sharing poignant moments during a media briefing. - Prominent figures like Dr. Fatima Hendricks and Zukiswa Wanner addressed the crowd, emphasizing the significance of the flotilla's mission. - The event showcased a strong sense of solidarity and support for the activists, with flags and banners prominently displayed by enthusiastic supporters. ## Content ![Scores of people welcomed the Global sumud flotilla delegates at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/qBPYsQvB_7VarxHtdE_jga8TTpw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WFD_2933.jpg) *Scores of people welcomed the South African Global Sumud Flotilla activists at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![A supporter puts up flags on the bust of OR Tambo while waiting to welcome the Global sumud flotilla delegates at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/emKsb60BaM9HSAY0TfFGwul3Wtw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6I1A1210.jpg) *A supporter puts up flags on the bust of OR Tambo while waiting to welcome the Global Sumud Flotilla activists at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Shahida Anthony and Mogamat Mashrie Athony welcoming the Global sumud flotilla delegates at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/2Zl9z4J_MUm_dgS3Bpor9mki6PE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WFD_2912.jpg) *Shahida Anthony and Mogamat Mashrie Athony welcoming the Global Sumud Flotilla activists at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![A supporter holds a poster while waiting to welcome the Global sumud flotilla delegates at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/SEP-SBaxMgSaexp-YrWGmyiYsZI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6I1A1184.jpg) *A supporter holds a poster while waiting to welcome the Global Sumud Flotilla activists at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Scores of people waving flags to welcome the Global sumud flotilla delegates at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/KBdfLHbAdFVN4Qgl6dFukVnQqZs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6I1A1228.jpg) *People waving flags to welcome the Global Sumud Flotilla activists at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Family and friends welcome the Global sumud flotilla delegates at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/KnMiedtnICP-UgmAnMvGiOpc9rU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6I1A1221.jpg) *Family and friends welcome the Global Sumud Flotilla activists at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Mandla and his wife Nosekeni Rabia Mandela embrace before the media briefing at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Kb2yN69HHCLfoltxI2MDtXFYqc8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6I1A1327.jpg) *Mandla and his wife Nosekeni Rabia Mandela embrace before the media briefing at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Zukiswa Wanner,Reaaz Moolla,⁠Zaheera Soomar,Nkosi Mandla Mandela, Fatima Hendricks and Carolyn Shelver at a media briefing of the Global sumud flotilla delegates to Gaza at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/nhOIUWO9DYZNsB_09koOljdbq00=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6I1A1351.jpg) *Zukiswa Wanner, Reaaz Moolla,⁠ Zaheera Soomar, Nkosi Mandla Mandela, Fatima Hendricks and Carolyn Shelver at a media briefing at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Emotional Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla during a media briefing at OR Tambo international airport on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/n_ckrcHbXAFblrj_lGHxB8iMSoM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6I1A1462.jpg) *Emotional Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla during a media briefing at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Dr Fatima Hendricks speaks at OR Tambo international airport, from being released by Israel governement on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/xTon-vnQpdGD8eeXXHYiCPRiUzA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WFD_3257.jpg) *Dr Fatima Hendricks speaks at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Carolyn Shelver speaks at OR Tambo international airport, from being released by Israel governement on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ObRWn2Nc5d-u_wKV3aqq2G9LvnE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WFD_3217.jpg) *Carolyn Shelver speaks at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Zukiswa Wanner at at OR Tambo international airport, from being released by Israel governement on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bV8MtCvUZQi11AYMsWx-mDpzcTs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WFD_3312.jpg) *Zukiswa Wanner at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Mandla Mandela is greeted by scores of people upon their arrival at OR Tambo international airport, from being released by Israel governement on 08 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ugASPCkkf5JLS5wkYKiAkT-lOy4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WFD_3360.jpg) *Mandla Mandela is greeted upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on 8 October 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla). DM*