17 October 2025 – British journalist and human rights activist, Yvonne Ridley, is set to visit South Africa from the 20 – 30 October 2025 as a guest of Salaam Foundation.
The tour comes just days after she and other international peace activists, were abducted in international waters by Israeli naval commandos. The group of over 460 people from various countries, including 6 from South Africa, formed the Sumud Freedom Flotilla and were trying to break the siege of Gaza by sailing across the Mediterranean Sea carrying humanitarian aid.
Israel has carried out a genocide in the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023 resulting in the deaths of over 67000 Palestinians and over 170 000 injured. Ridley along with others, was subjected to harsh treatment, denied basic rights and forcefully deported from Israel after their civilian boats were intercepted about 100 nautical miles from reaching the shores of Gaza.
Over the course of her career, Ridley has written for the British The Sunday Times, The Observer, Independent on Sunday and Daily Mirror, among others. In late September 2001, while on assignment with The Sunday Express in Afghanistan, she was captured by the Taliban and held for 11 days. After her release, she fulfilled a promise to read the Qur’an, and in 2003 converted to Islam.
Following her conversion, Ridley expanded her work into broadcasting and activism, addressing issues including Islam, women’s rights, and internationally crafted war in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Chechnya.
She has written books including In the Hands of the Taliban, Ticket to Paradise, and The Rise of the Prophet Muhammad: Don’t Shoot the Messenger.
Her engagements in South Africa will include participation in following public programmes:
21 October 2025: Palestine solidarity meeting in conjunction with fellow Sumud flotilla member, Fatima Hendricks – LMA Hall, Lenasia, Duck Avenue, 7pm
22 October 2025: Newcastle, Nofta Hall, 7pm, ladies only
23 October 2025: Durban, SLA Hall, Miriam Bee Sultan Centre, 7.30pm
25 October 2025: Appearance at Salaam Foundation LemonAid stalls and attendance at the 2025 Nelson Mandela Lecture by Francesca Albanese, Sandton.
26 October 2025: Soweto
27 October 2025: Laudium, Pretoria
The programme is subject to change. Please log on regularly for the latest updates.
