Mthatha – An Israeli delegation has visited the AbaThembu King, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, and reportedly donated thousands of US dollars toward much-needed relief to the victims of the recent floods in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
The South African Friends of Israel on Monday, 1 September 2025, said the donation, equivalent to R175 805, was made last week.
“The delegation pledged ongoing aid, beginning with a donation of US$10 000, to assist families still displaced almost two months after the disaster,” said the South African Friends of Israel in a statement made available to The Bulrushes.
The statement, which has not been independently verified by The bulrushes, quoted King Dalindyebo as stating: “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.”
According to the statement, the King further criticised 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 statement quoted King Dalindyebo as stating.
“The response is pathetic. The response is that of tortoises.”
Commenting on the matter, South African Friends of Israel spokesperson 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.”
South African Friends of Israel said, 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).
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 [African National Congress] divisive politics and recognise the hand of friendship extended by Israel.
“The partnership between our peoples is one of hope, dignity, and shared progress.”
However, South Africa’s relations with Israel remain frosty over relentless attacks by Israel Defense Forces on Gaza in which more than 50 000 Palestinians – many of them women and children – have been killed.
Many more have been injured and maimed.
South Africa has gone to the ICJ, or International Court of Justice (ICJ), in The Hague, charging that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The matter is ongoing.
Following an investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity, on 21 November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the former Minister of Defense of Israel.
The pair is accused of being responsible for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and the crimes against humanity.
