A peaceful demonstration was recently held on Stellenbosch University’s (SU) campus to show solidarity with Ukraine, following the country’s invasion by Russia.
On 1 March, MatieMedia was in attendance as participants marched from the top of Victoria Street in Stellenbosch to SU’s Rooiplein, where a vigil was held and speakers addressed the crowd. Attendees largely consisted of SU students, Stellenbosch residents and Ukrainian citizens.
Demonstrators began their march from the top of Victoria street while chanting “Stop Putin’s war! Stop war everywhere!” PHOTO: Cody Hansen
“We organised this anti-Ukrainian war demonstration and march in collaboration with UNASA UCT, Amnesty International, the Palestinian Solidarity Forum and the Societies Council at SU,” said Nina Hugo, chairperson of United Nations Association of South Africa’s (UNASA) Stellenbosch Chapter.
“We are here to show our solidarity [with] Ukraine and condemn war, not only in Europe, but war everywhere,” she said. She reiterated that it was a peaceful demonstration and that they advocate for peace everywhere. Hugo stated UNASA Stellenbosch’s belief that it is “unconstitutional and terrible” that South Africa has not spoken out against the war and added that they “would like to encourage them [South Africa] to impose economic sanctions against any country who infringes on international law.”
A Ukrainian citizen comforted a distraught man, who broke down in tears during the march to the Rooiplein. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
The message the demonstration wanted to send to Russian powers is “take your armed forces, end the siege of Kyiv and go home”, said Daniel Hukamdad, chairperson of UNASA’s University of Cape Town Chapter.
“When you organise a demonstration like this it often comes across as a very symbolic event,” said Hugo. “Even today someone called me, in tears, thanking us for showing our support for Ukraine. So even though we may only be a drop in the bucket, we do add to the cause and if all the people rally together, get together and show their support for Ukraine – then we will make a difference,” she stated.
Attendees displayed their anti-war posters at Stellenbosch University’s Rooiplein. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
“I was born and grew up in Kyiv. At the moment not only my city is bombed, [but] my street [was] bombed half an hour ago, 200 metres from where my mother is. No one knows what to do,” said Kristina Oliinyk, a Ukrainian citizen from Cape Town who spoke to the crowd at the vigil. “It’s very stressful and very painful to see all these videos. No one is safe in Ukraine now.”
“We are just asking you guys to support us as much as you can,” stated Oliinyk.
Emotional Ukrainian citizens sang after candles were lit for the people of Ukraine. AUDIO: Cody Hansen
“I hope that we are able to set a standard here today with this demonstration, which suggests to the great powers of the world that the age of warmongering is over,” said Hukamdad. He added that he was “proud to see so many people” in attendance.
Ukrainian citizens gathered at the bottom of the Rooiplein to sing their national anthem. PHOTO: Cody Hansen