Living on the edge: Motorist concerned about graffiti flags

GEORGE NEWS - An observant motorist who travels daily on the N2 was curious about what appears to be a painted flag on a rocky embankment next to the Maalgate River bridge. He was concerned about the message and symbolism of the graffiti.

The flag is indeed the national flag of Palestine, and appears both on the embankment and on the side of one of the bridge pillars.

A contact well connected with a local pro-Palestine movement, Southern Cape for Palestine, helped to point George Herald in the right direction. The graffiti artist is a member of this movement, as well as the political party Algema-Ah. He calls himself an activist for the Palestinian people. The artist, Nicholas Senekal, said he decided to embark on the project to "keep Palestine in people's minds".

"I did it of my own accord," said Senekal, who asked a friend to drop him close to the bridge, since there is no place to park a vehicle. "It was quite a mission to carry all the paint and equipment, but I did it!" he said.

Senekal finished his project last week. The flag painted against the side of the bridge was done with spray paint, and marked "NAK", Senekal's nickname. The flag against the embankment was painted with wall paint.

Senekal said being an activist helps to give him purpose, and that after a life-saving kidney transplant, he is "all in" for the Palestinian cause. "I was on dialysis and was very, very ill. Now I have a new lease on life and want to dedicate it to the Palestinian people, to fight for their freedom." Senekal spoke to George Herald well aware that his project may land him in hot water.

This photo was taken by an observant motorist who saw the flag against the embankment next to the Maalgate Bridge on the N2.