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March and March

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
March and March
FormationMarch 2024
FounderJacinta Ngobese-Zuma
TypeCivic movement / advocacy group
PurposeImmigration policy advocacy and citizen mobilisation in South Africa
HeadquartersDurban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Region served
South Africa
Members50,000+ supporters (claimed)[1]
Founder and leader
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma
Key people
Provincial coordinators; Communications team
AffiliationsVarious civic organisations (informal cooperation only)
BudgetCrowdfunded through donations, merchandise sales, and public contributions[2]
Websitemarchandmarch.org.za

March and March (established in March 2024)[3] is a South African civic organisation focused on illegal immigration.[4][5][6] The movement is associated with Operation Dudula and Patriotic Alliance's call of deporting illegal and undocumented immigrants, using the slogan Abahambe (They must go) during demonstrations. In 2026, their demonstrations and protests have spread nationwide and have been linked to a number of xenophobic and violent actions against foreigners.[5][7][8]

The March and March first gained prominence in South African and international news media in 2025,[9] when they stationed themselves at public health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal.[10] The movement stationed volunteers outside government clinics and hospitals and focussed on gatekeeping. This occurred at Addington Hospital, R. K Khan Hospital and others public health care facilities. Volunteers insisted that an ID document should be shown in order to gain entry.[11]

At the beginning of 2026, the leadership announced the end of their campaign of gatekeeping clinics and hospitals;[12] and organised a number of anti-illegal immigration protests across the country sparking the 2026 anti-illegal immigrant movement in South Africa and imposing a '30 June' deadline.[13] Focus then shifted to protesting outside Addington Primary school with MK and Operation Dudula collaborating.[14]

At the end of March 2026, the movement organised a protest against the coronation of a Nigerian who was crowned the Igwe Ndigbo at KuGompo city in the Eastern Cape.[15] Former radio presenter Ngizwe Mchunu, traditional leaders, civic movements and political parties including ActionSA, and the Patriotic Alliance, joined the demonstration, condemning the ceremony as unlawful. The demonstrations turned violent with cars and shops of foreign nationals being torched with fire.[16]

Leadership

[edit]

March and March is a registered as a non-profit organisation[17] and is led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. Mrs Ngobese-Zuma is award winning former radio personality who worked as a radio presenter on Vuma FM.[18] She was dismissed without reasons from the station in 2025.[19] It was initially characterised as a citizen led group in Durban, addressing state failures.[20] As the organisation grew, the group began to focus on illegal migrants and their contribution to South Africa's current challenges. Critics and other commentators have argued that state policy on border control, service delivery and crime are also factors.[21]

The organisation has branches in several provinces, and in April and May 2026, March and March organised demonstrations against undocumented migrants in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban.[22][23][24] Reports state that at least two Nigerian men were killed in separate incidents in Johannesburg during this period.[25]

Another civic activist and leader of Insizwa Nobunsizwa Development Foundation, Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, also known as Phakel’umthakathi, who has joined and led demonstrations organised by March and March, said “We do not advocate for any violence against our brothers and sisters from other countries. All we want is for them to come into our country legally and that they must not feed our children drugs or commit all sorts of crimes.” [26]

The organisation claims to be apolitical but has been linked to the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) political party.[13]

30 June deadline and protests

[edit]

March and March affiliate and leader of Insizwa nobunsizwa Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, issued a dealine for all illegal foreigners in South Africa to leave. The date of 30th of June 2026 was first issued in 7 December 2025, as a six months notice to allow them to prepare for departure.[27] The deadline caused panic among refugee communities and civil society groups. Early June, thousands of Malawian nationals started gathering at Sherwood Park in Durban out fear of being attacked.[28][29] Illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe also began flocking to The Zimbabwean Consulate in Cape Town, hoping to leave South Africa before 30 June.[30]

The uncertainty of what was going to happen on 30 June spread fear and rumours around the country. The South African Government responded by announcing a R600-million (36.4 million US dollars) spending to protect people and mitigate against potential violence.[31] The Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia revealed that R600 million has been redirected from South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure operational readiness ahead of the planned nationwide demonstrations on June 30th.[32]

On the appointed day of 30 June, more than 20 civic groups were part of protests organised in all provinces of South Africa. According to Mail and Guardian "The demonstrations were largely peaceful, with marchers accompanied by police officers throughout the day."[33] Huge crowds of demonstrators were seen in cities like Johannesburg, Durban, KuGompo, Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Cape Town, while smaller crowds were seen in towns like Hermanus, Gqeberha, Kroonstad, Zeerust, Tzaneen, Thohoyandou and Kimberley, with isolated incidents of intimidation and violence.[34] In Hillbrow, three Nigerians were arrested after shooting at protesters, wounding a 17 year old.[35] Marches were also seen in townships like Thembisa, Soweto, Thokoza, Tsakane, EMalahleni and Nquthu.[36][37] The total number of nationwide protests is reported to be 120, with 108 being peaceful, while 12 had incidents of violence.[38]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "March and March - Citizen Advocacy for Immigration Reform". Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Who funds March and March? Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma responds". IOL. 11 June 2026.
  3. ↑ Luke, Amahle; Phasha, Koketso; Mlambo, Sihle; Majadibodu, Simon (26 July 2025). "Is this the new South Africa? March and March NGO demands IDs at KZN public hospitals". IOL. Archived from the original on 5 July 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "About our movement". marchandmarch.org.za. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  5. 1 2 Pilane, Reitumetse (2026-06-23). "Police watch as anti-foreigner marchers vandalise businesses, join inspections". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
  6. ↑ Farmer, Ben (21 June 2026). "Thousands of migrants flee South Africa ahead of anti-foreigner ultimatum". The Telegraph.
  7. ↑ Farmer, Ben (21 June 2026). "Thousands of migrants flee South Africa ahead of anti-foreigner ultimatum". The Telegraph.
  8. ↑ Cooks, Tim (26 June 2026). "What is behind South Africa's anti-immigrant protests?". Reuters. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "'It's organised intimidation': New wave of anti-migrant violence sweeps South Africa". France 24. 2026-05-11. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  10. ↑ Luke, Amahle; Phasha, Koketso; Mlambo, Sihle; Majadibodu, Simon (2025-04-09). "Is this the new South Africa? March and March NGO demands IDs at KZN public hospitals". IOL. Retrieved 2026-06-05.
  11. ↑ Yoganathan, Venilla (2025-07-30). "Anti-foreigner group ups ante at healthcare facilities". Juta MedicalBrief. Retrieved 2026-06-05.
  12. ↑ Sithole, Wendy (2026-01-07). "March-And-March to cease hospitals, clinics blockades". Berea Mail. Retrieved 2026-06-05.
  13. 1 2 O'Regan, Victoria (2026-06-25). "Xenophobic unrest — a crisis co-written by March and March and SA's political class". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
  14. ↑ Mabaso, Nhlanhla. "KZN Education MEC criticises ongoing protests at Addington Primary School". EWN. Retrieved 2026-06-05.
  15. ↑ Asanda, Nini. "Protest over Nigerian king turns violent in Eastern Cape". Sowetan. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
  16. ↑ Nel, Brandon. "Eastern Cape protests turn violent over Nigerian kings coronation". Capetimes.co.za. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
  17. ↑ Pindulaadmin (May 2026). "March and March". Pindula. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Jabulani, Langa. "Presenter starts year on a high note!". snl24.com. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Presenter takes legal action against Vuma FM over termination of contract". sunday tribune.co.za. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  20. ↑ Simelane, Bheki C. (2026-04-29). "March and March moves into Gauteng as anti-foreigner sentiment swells ahead of elections". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  21. ↑ Gumede | AP, Mogomotsi Magome and Michelle (2026-04-29). "Hundreds march in Johannesburg against illegal migration as shops shut over looting fears". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  22. ↑ Mabona, Warren (28 April 2026). "Pretoria disrupted by anti-immigrant march". GroundUp. Archived from the original on 7 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  23. ↑ Sebata, Silindelo (29 April 2026). "March and March turns focus to Johannesburg". ENCA. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  24. ↑ Buthelezi, Siphesihle (21 April 2026). "March and March Durban CBD clean-up campaigns: Concern over business disruptions". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  25. ↑ Onje, Ojochenemi (28 April 2026). "Two Nigerians killed in fresh xenophobic attacks in South Africa". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  26. ↑ Hope, Ntanzi. "KZN police, March and March pledge peaceful protests on June 30". iol.co.za. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  27. ↑ Buthelezi, Siphesihle. "Anti-illegal immigration group reassures public ahead of June 30 deadline". iol.co.za. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  28. ↑ Nxumalo, Sakhiseni. "Thousands of foreign nationals seek refuge at Durban park as June 30 deadline looms". news24. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  29. ↑ Comins, Lyse. "SA xenophobia: Births, rising fury and the state's deportation crackdown". mg. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Zimbabwean nationals flock to Cape Town Consulate". enca. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  31. ↑ Massango, Alberto. "South African Government announces R600-million plan to address xenophobic unrest". aimnews. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  32. ↑ Nel, Brandon. "Police pour R600m into June 30 security plan". iol.co.za. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  33. ↑ M&G Reporters. "30 June demonstrations conclude relatively peacefully". mg. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  34. ↑ iol Repoters. "How June 30 unfolded: Peaceful protests, isolated violence and a movement that isn't over". Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  35. ↑ Ngcobo, Maseko, Khanyisile, Nomsa. "Thousands of anti-migrant protesters march in South Africa amid heavy police presence". bbc. Retrieved 1 July 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ↑ Mothoa, Seipati. "Thembisa protesters vow to keep marching until foreign-run shops close". timeslive. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  37. ↑ NovaNews Reporters. "30 June shutdown: Here's what's happening - Live updates". novenews. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  38. ↑ Majadibodu, Simon. "NatJoints: Most of 900 arrested during June 30 protests were illegal foreigners". iol.co.za. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
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