As pressure over jobs, public services and border control continues, anti-immigration activism is gaining visibility in South Africa. At the centre of the debate is the March and March movement, which is calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters from the civic group marched in Pretoria towards the Union Buildings to submit a memorandum, calling for tighter immigration controls, including stricter visa regulations, a review of asylum policies, and action against businesses employing undocumented foreign nationals.
What is the March and March movement?
The March and March movement was founded in March 2025 in Durban by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a former Vuma FM presenter and civic activist. It presents itself as a citizen-led campaign focused mainly on stricter immigration enforcement and concerns around undocumented migration.
According to its leader, the movement grew out of what they describe as a rising sense of frustration and desperation among ordinary citizens who feel like “foreigners in their own city.”
They are very clear that they don’t want to become a political party. In their view, going into electoral politics would pull them into coalition deals, parliamentary red tape, and internal party fights that could weaken or silence what they’re trying to do as a public movement.
Early marches, especially in Durban, have drawn a mix of supporters, from civic groups such as Operation Dudula and Amabhinca Nation to political parties such as ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
Why is it gaining traction now?
March and March argue that undocumented immigration is putting pressure on jobs, public services, and even contributing to crime. That message is landing with some people at a time when frustration is already high, especially given South Africa’s unemployment rate of 31.4%.
And that’s part of why the movement has gained traction. It’s tapping into real anger about unemployment and government failures, and linking some of that frustration to migration.
But that argument is heavily contested.
Migration experts say blaming undocumented migrants oversimplifies a much deeper problem. They argue that unemployment and struggling public services are rooted more in long-standing government failures, and that foreigners are often scapegoated for frustrations that have been building for years. Even President Cyril Ramaphosa has recently framed job creation as a top priority, which shows how central unemployment already is in the national debate.
The movement has also become more visible through protests in KwaZulu-Natal, where it has drawn in groups beyond March and March itself, including Ngizwe Mchunu’s Amabhinca Nation, Operation Dudula, and even engagement from the ANC Youth League in eThekwini.
And it hasn’t just been marches. Some activism has spilt into visits to businesses, framed by organisers as pressure on government and employers. In eThekwini, the ANC Youth League said some of those engagements opened opportunities for locals, including truck drivers, assistant drivers, and engineering posts.
Why has it been controversial?
The March and March movement has been controversial largely because of the way it talks about undocumented migration and how that message plays out during protests.
In recent demonstrations, including a march in Pretoria, protesters accused foreign nationals of running unregistered businesses and contributing to crime and unemployment. But some of the language used during these gatherings has raised concern, especially terms like “amakwerekwere,” which many view as derogatory and xenophobic.
That’s where the tension comes in: the movement says it’s focused on law and order and on enforcing immigration rules, but critics argue that the way the message is framed can easily fuel hostility towards foreign nationals.
Despite this, Ngobese-Zuma has pushed back against claims of xenophobia, saying the movement is not targeting foreigners but simply calling for law enforcement and order in South Africa.
Political analysts also say the growing visibility of the March and March movement has begun to draw political attention, with parties like ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance, the IFP, and even the MK Party appearing at or engaging with some of its recent demonstrations. They argue this shows how immigration has become a highly sensitive political issue ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Political analyst Goodenough Mashego, quoted in IOL, has warned that some parties may be using anti-immigration sentiment for political advantage. He says certain political actors seem to be aligning themselves with the movement’s messaging in a way that could turn public frustration into electoral support.
In a similar line, University of KwaZulu-Natal academic Dr Lubna Nadvi has cautioned that migration is increasingly being used as “political fodder to secure votes.” She argues that the issue is being shaped more by election politics than by careful policy discussion, and warns that this kind of framing risks oversimplifying a much more complex mix of legal, economic and social challenges.
