Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
01 August 2025 | 15:39 CAT

📸 Caption: South Africa remains firmly pinned on the map of global conscience as it continues to challenge dominant Western narratives on Palestine.

South Africa is increasingly challenging the dominance of Western narratives, especially in the wake of the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, which resumed on 18 March 2025. With over 1,000 Palestinians killed since, and reports of forced expulsions and deadly airstrikes, the global spotlight is shifting, not just to the humanitarian crisis, but also to the information war surrounding it.

In this week’s ASRI Report, Dr. Imraan Baccus unpacks how critiques of Western power structures are often silenced or discredited under the guise of defending democratic norms. “In the early stages of South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel, conspiracy theories were weaponised to undermine the country’s credibility. Claims that Iran had bribed the ANC surfaced without evidence,” he says.

He argues that individuals and NGOs voicing support for Palestine were maligned. “People were labelled, discredited, and the Western narrative was held as sacrosanct,” Baccus said, adding that this pattern reflects a deeper geopolitical struggle over truth and legitimacy.

When asked about China and Russia’s role in spreading disinformation, Baccus was unequivocal: “They are certainly guilty. But the West acts as if it is the custodian of truth. The U.S., for example, has a long history of regime change operations and false narratives from weapons of mass destruction in Iraq to the unverifiable stories of beheaded babies in Gaza. These aren’t exceptions, they’re strategy.”

Naming culprits, Baccus pointed fingers at former Daily Maverick editor Branko Brkic, the Brenthurst Foundation led by Greg Mills, and academics like Herman Wasserman, accusing them of pushing Global North propaganda. “They all downplayed South Africa’s principled stance at the ICJ and labelled it as external manipulation,” he said.

Yet, there’s a shift. “Under new editor Gillian Green, Daily Maverick is more open to critique of Israel,” Baccus noted. “And interestingly, the Brenthurst Foundation has quietly shut its doors.”

Still, Baccus warns that vigilance is necessary. “Think tanks, media houses, and academic institutions backed by Western funding often carry embedded agendas. We must examine their messaging critically.”

He concludes: “The West speaks of democracy and human rights, but those words are too often cloaks for geopolitical interest. South Africa’s voice in international arenas is critical and it’s gaining resonance.”

As South Africa asserts itself on the world stage, the question remains: can truth ever be free from power?

Listen to the full ASRI Report on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Dr Imraan Baccus.