TikTok creator 'Roseyma' says faith, not politics, motivated Israel trip

Durban influencer Roseyma Pillay has defended her decision to accept a sponsored trip to Israel, insisting that her faith and desire to experience a new country were her motivations. The 47-year-old mother of one, originally from Chatsworth, was approached by an unknown individual through her social media and TikTok account, "Roseyma," who is known for sharing content about her life.

She accepted the offer, believing it was a chance to explore Israel outside of South Africa, as she had never traveled abroad before. Pillay said she was unaware of the political controversy surrounding her trip and had no intention of promoting any political stance. The trip, which involved about 12 other South African creators, lasted for two weeks, from October 31 to November 6.

Pillay expressed her shock at the backlash she received after sharing her experiences on social media, as she had not intended to endorse any political position. She noted that she was unfamiliar with the history and political conflict between Israel and Palestine, focusing solely on the trip's opportunity to explore a new country.

Pillay's difficult upbringing and personal struggles, including being widowed at 20 and raising her child alone, seemed to have shaped her perspective on life and her decision to accept the trip. She emphasized that her intentions were solely to experience a new culture and fulfill a lifelong religious dream, not to engage in political discussions.