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The article focuses on explosion of student movement protest at South African universities during 2015–16 that had two distinct origins and orientations. Topics include considered that demands of this trajectory of the student movement included increasing the number of black students and faculty at historically white universities (HWU).

This reflection is a reportage, some would say stream-of-consciousness piece, giving some insight into the thinking and action I committed to, as part of the International Freedom Flotilla mission of September/October 2016. The Women's Boat to Gaza (WBG) was the first allwomen international solidarity flotilla mission, since flotilla's set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to the illegally blockaded Gaza Strip. The WBG was a different kind of mission in that the 15 meter-long yatch was not carrying any food or money or medical supplies, as flotillas before had done. The WBG was a boat of 13 women from around the world who represented the many ordinary people who remain aware of the injustices in Palestine and are willing to act to organize action, further than the protest marches, discussions, documentary film screenings - which ensure that the plight of Palestinians remain in the consciousness of people around the world. This was a mission, as are many international solidarity efforts, which required commitment, resources, and lots of behind the scenes work to make possible. The collective effort meant that many people engaged in developing an action that was hopeful, while at the same time also potentially horrific. I kept the diary that follows in the hope that it would provide some reflection on the experience of participating in a solidarity mission from the perspective of a South African activist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]