Key Takeaways
- The anti‑illegal immigration group March and March staged a protest outside the 46th SADC Summit in Durban, urging regional leaders to repatriate undocumented nationals residing in South Africa.
- Protest leader Jacinta Ngobese‑Zuma criticised the summit for marginalising civil society voices and accused officials of “window‑dressing” rather than addressing real‑life concerns.
- The organisation demanded stronger border controls, stricter immigration legislation, and a government that prioritises the safety and interests of South African citizens.
- Ngobese‑Zuma warned that mass deportations of undocumented foreign nationals could begin by 30 September if authorities fail to act.
- While the group opposes undocumented migrants who exploit the country, it affirmed support for properly documented foreigners who contribute positively to South African society.
Event Overview and Purpose
On Monday, the anti‑illegal immigration movement March and March gathered outside the venue of the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit held in Durban. The protest was framed under the banner “It’s time to fetch your people,” a direct appeal to SADC heads of state to take responsibility for their undocumented citizens living in South Africa. Demonstrators carried placards, chanted slogans, and handed out flyers outlining their grievances, aiming to pressure regional leaders into concrete action on immigration rather than merely discussing the issue behind closed doors. The demonstration highlighted growing public frustration over perceived lax border enforcement and the social strain attributed to undocumented residency.
Demonstration Outside SADC Summit
The rally took place just metres from the summit’s main entrance, ensuring high visibility for delegates arriving for the three‑day gathering. Participants emphasised that the timing of the protest was deliberate; they wanted SADC leaders to confront the reality of illegal immigration while they were convened to discuss regional cooperation, trade, and security. By positioning themselves at the summit’s threshold, March and March sought to remind policymakers that the outcomes of their deliberations directly affect ordinary South Africans living in border towns, urban centres, and informal settlements where undocumented populations are most noticeable.
Call for Civil Society Inclusion
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese‑Zuma took the microphone to voice a central grievance: civil society organisations are routinely excluded from meaningful participation in SADC deliberations. She argued that grassroots groups bring “real, real things” to the table—first‑hand accounts of crime, job competition, and service delivery pressures that policymakers often overlook when they rely solely on diplomatic briefings. Ngobese‑Zuma insisted that the voices of ordinary citizens must be amplified, not merely tolerated as decorative participants, because they possess the lived experience necessary to craft effective, context‑sensitive policies.
Criticism of Summit’s Performative Nature
Ngobese‑Zuma went further, characterising much of the summit’s discourse as superficial “window‑dressing” where leaders exchange pleasantries, applaud each other’s initiatives, and make lofty promises that seldom translate into tangible change. She warned that such performative politics fuels public cynicism and exacerbates tensions, as citizens perceive their governments as more concerned with image than with solving pressing societal problems. The protest leader urged SADC officials to move beyond ceremonial rhetoric and adopt measurable commitments that address the root causes of illegal immigration, including economic disparity and weak border governance.
Demands for Tighter Immigration Controls
A core demand voiced by March and March was the implementation of stronger border controls and the enactment of legislation designed to “protect South Africans and put South Africans first.” The group called for reinforced surveillance at ports of entry, increased resources for immigration officials, and stricter penalties for those who facilitate illegal entry or employment of undocumented workers. Ngobese‑Zuma argued that without robust legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, South Africa remains vulnerable to exploitation, and the burden of uncontrolled migration falls disproportionately on local communities seeking safety, jobs, and public services.
Threat of Mass Deportations
In a stark warning, Ngobese‑Zuma told SADC heads of state to prepare for mass deportations of undocumented foreign nationals by 30 September. She asserted that March and March would intensify its campaign if the government continued to ignore public demands, suggesting that a coordinated removal operation could commence once the deadline passes. The leader framed this ultimatum as a necessary step to restore order and reassure citizens that their safety is a priority, while also signalling that the group’s patience with diplomatic negotiations is waning.
Escalation of Campaign Activities
The protest leader affirmed that March and March would pursue its objectives with “a bit more intensity,” reflecting growing public fatigue with perceived governmental inaction. Plans outlined during the demonstration included more frequent rallies, engagement with local media to amplify personal stories of crime and job loss linked to undocumented residents, and potential legal challenges aimed at compelling authorities to enforce existing immigration statutes. Ngobese‑Zuma stressed that the movement’s resolve is rooted in a desire for a government that listens to its populace rather than one that merely performs consultations while maintaining the status quo.
Support for Lawful Foreign Residents
While the group’s rhetoric is firm against illegal immigration, Ngobese‑Zuma took care to differentiate between undocumented migrants and foreigners who reside in South Africa with proper documentation. She expressed that South Africans “don’t mind having foreigners in our country who are properly documented, who are here doing correct things, who love the country as much as we do.” This nuance aimed to shield the movement from accusations of xenophobia by highlighting its opposition to exploitation and criminality, not to law‑abiding immigrants who contribute economically and culturally to the nation.
Regional and National Implications
The demonstration’s message carries weight beyond South Africa’s borders, touching on broader SADC principles of solidarity, mutual responsibility, and regional stability. By urging fellow member states to repatriate their nationals, March and March is invoking the idea that immigration challenges are shared burdens that require coordinated solutions. At the same time, the protest underscores domestic pressures on the South African government to balance humanitarian considerations with the imperative to safeguard citizens’ livelihoods and security—a tension that will likely shape policy debates in the months ahead.
Looking Ahead
As the September 30 deadline approaches, the stakes for both the SADC leadership and South African authorities are mounting. March and March’s blend of public protest, direct appeals to regional leaders, and warnings of mass deportations signal a shift from passive advocacy to more assertive activism. Whether the government responds with enhanced border measures, legislative reforms, or diplomatic engagements remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the issue of illegal immigration has moved from the background of policy discussions to the forefront of public discourse, demanding urgent, transparent, and actionable responses from all stakeholders involved.