Al Jama-ah leadership and several organisations including community leaders, politicians, and university student representatives met with the consulate of Russia for a discussion on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia since 2014 to date.
The meeting served as an opportunity for South Africans to dialogue with the Russian Consulate.The reality highlighted the western media propaganda attempting to block the true reality of the conflict and the continued spreading of a narrative.
Being afforded an opportunity to speak to those from Ukraine and Russia only then do you realise the extent that narrative has been distorted by Ukraine leadership and their western counterparts, specifically the US and not forgetting NATO.
The people of Ukraine and Russia share a close bond; many have family and friends in the country of the other. The impact of the conflict has had a heartbreaking impact on both sides. The DA narrative by their Zionist supported leadership continues to spread a distorted narrative. The DA attempts to spread the narrative that the Zionist leadership of Ukraine is innocent and Russia is guilty. It spreads a one sided narrative.
For those of us who are Palestinian Activists these narratives are a reminder of the Zionists actions against the people of Palestine. The difference here is that the Ukrainian leadership are using their own people of Ukraine as shields to further their own cause and interests; this has been very clear in this conflict.
It is time that we all start opening our eyes for within our midst we have media propaganda infiltrating and spreading narratives and mischief in our own country. It is time to educate ourselves on not just issues within our own borders but internationally as we have seen the impact and rippling effect of conflict on all countries.
The physical reality is that war will consume material resources and human lives until one side capitulates or both sides become so exhausted that they negotiate for peace. “The media-driven reality is that war will continue so long as information outlets owned and controlled by the dominant West – which have been called the “white man’s media” – continue to stir up war to contain challengers to Western dominance”
This meeting highlighted the importance of if we are unable to trust the media we need to educate ourselves and seek the truth.Time is of the essence as the continued narratives spread results in continued conflict and loss of lives and ultimately impacts on the rest of the world especially on those already struggling
Adv Shameemah Salie
Photo credits: Sayed Ridhwaan Mohamed