Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma leads anti-foreigner protest in Durban.
Image: XOLILE MTEMBU
Under the blistering Durban sun on Wednesday, members of the anti-illegal immigrant group March and March took to the streets, their chants cutting through the mid-day heat as they marched in a display that has since sparked outrage.
At the forefront was the group's leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a vocal figure who, alongside her supporters, did little to temper rhetoric widely condemned as xenophobic.
Various political parties were present, including uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), ActionSA, the IFP and the Patriotic Alliance (AP), adding a charged political dimension to the gathering.
The groups started at King Dinuzulu Park and finished at Hoy Park.
Addressing the crowd, Ngobese-Zuma declared: "Every shop is run by foreigners. Do you hear what I'm saying? Our people are unemployed, and they're busy laughing at us in those buildings. They took those buildings for free."
Ngobese-Zuma intensified her remarks, saying: "They left their countries to become rude here. Do you remember how white people treat us? They came to visit and ended up saying they discovered us. One day, these foreigners will say the same. Why aren't you angry?"
In a final call to action, she urged supporters: "When we leave here, they will reopen all these stores. That would mean that we have done this for nothing.
"We want to convey the message that we don't want them here. They should leave. Everyone here should chant as if they are doing it for their future child.
“Every shop is run by foreigners. Do you hear what I'm saying? Our people are unemployed and they're busy laughing at us in those buildings. They took those buildings for free."
As the march progressed, Ngobese-Zuma intensified her remarks.
"They left their countries to become insolent here. Do you remember how white people treat us? They came to visit and ended up saying they discovered us. One day, these foreigners will say the same."
She also claimed that "big-nosed" President Cyril Ramaphosa was to blame for the crisis.
The crowd chanted that the president loves illegal immigrants and easily grants them permits.
Among political figures present was ActionSA's Herman Mashaba who echoed that there is an issue of illegal immigration in South Africa.
"Illegal immigration has been destroying the soul of the country. We really appreciate March and March and other political parties and NGOs. Enough is enough. Our people are suffering.
"I don't understand the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the African National Congress (ANC) believe South Africa should be the nanny of the world when we're unable to look after our own people."
He said people come to the nation as far away as from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria leaving their families and claiming to be refugees.
"They expect us as South Africans to accept this, They, the [ANC] demonstrate to us that they have lost the plot,' he said.
As the march progressed down Dr Pixley KaSeme Street, store owners shut their stores as the crowd approached.
"When are you leaving illegal foreigner? You open tuck shops and take away all the jobs," protestors chanted.
In a shocking claim, one individual shouted: "One foreigner must die. We must set one alight."
Operation Dudula also showed up in the intense demonstration. It's leader, Zandile Dabula told IOL that this was more than a gathering, it was a moment of reflection on a movement she believes has steadily gained traction across the country.
"So, we're here today to support March and March, their first anniversary and you know more importantly we had to acknowledge the invitation because we are all patriots, we have the same goal," she said.
She spoke of a journey she says began years ago, framing it as a collective awakening.
"We started this journey six years ago and we're excited that the ideology that we started is continuing," she said.
Dabula leaned into the unemployment narrative, arguing that more South Africans are recognising the scale of the issue.
"We can see that most South Africans are now awoken, you know more people are seeing that we have a problem when it comes to illegal immigration as a country," she said.
South African Police Service (Saps) spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda told IOL that the authorities don't have a stance on such marches.
Organisers had aimed to deliver a memorandum to top cop General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, however, he was nowhere to be seen.
"He was never supposed to come in the first place. The organiser knows better," Netshiunda said.
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