Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the March and March movement, addresses speculation about her political ambitions and clarifies her stance on potential affiliations with ActionSA and other parties.
Image: TUMI PAKKIES/Independent Newspapers
The March and March organisation has dismissed claims that it intends contesting the upcoming local government elections as a political party.
The movement’s leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, addressed the speculation during a media briefing held in Umhlanga on Monday.
The clarification follows growing claims circulating across the country that Ngobese-Zuma was using organised marches as a platform to campaign for political support ahead of the elections.
Ngobese-Zuma firmly rejected the allegations.
She explained that March and March’s aim was to have illegal immigrants removed from the country. She said the movement’s involvement in the elections would focus on encouraging young voter participation, as it was a crucial role for them to have a hand in how the country’s political landscape was shaped.
“This day (Election Day) should not be seen as just another holiday to relax with friends or indulge in festivities. Instead, it should be viewed as a pivotal opportunity to instigate change and revolutionise our country.
“Currently, South African children face an uncertain future because of the existing system.
“We should not participate in a framework that destroys rather than builds. We are advocating for a system in which the youth can thrive,” said Ngobese-Zuma.
Regarding growing concerns around illegal immigration and its impact on the country, she said that some political parties had aligned with their values for a better South Africa. She said that legislative change was critical to addressing pressing immigration issues.
On March and March’s funding and the motivation for its activities, she said:
“It’s time for South Africans to realise that we don’t stand to gain anything from our involvement. I’m not campaigning for votes but rather calling on this nation to reflect on its future.”
Ngobese-Zuma said she believed in a culture of active citizenship, rather than relying on monetary incentives to inspire civic participation.
She referred to instances where individuals travelled from as far as Cape Town to attend their marches.
“That is the attitude we want from South Africans. Change will not come from gifted T-shirts or empty promises. It requires collective determination and action from our citizens,” she said.
Dr Sesoko Rakolote, an academic, cautioned against labelling citizens who demand that government fully enforce immigration laws without fear, favour or prejudice as xenophobes or charlatans. He said this was a misdiagnosis of the genuine safety, security and sovereignty risks posed by porous borders.
He said that when government leadership failed to uphold its social contract with the people, it was inevitable that a leader would emerge from among the masses to champion their concerns.
“The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model cautions against relying solely on avoidance or competition when managing conflicts.
“Applying this framework, protests against illegal immigration should be approached with careful diagnosis and constructive interventions.
“A balanced response by government and embassies requires acknowledging citizens’ concerns, engaging in dialogue, and implementing fair solutions that strengthen both national security and social cohesion,” said Rakolote.
Political analyst Professor Andrew Duvenage highlighted characteristics of a failing state, including an inability to control borders, and the corruption and nepotism that have taken root since 1994.
Duvenage said statistics were telling. He stated that current estimates suggested South Africa was home to nearly five million illegal immigrants.
“To put this number in perspective, it exceeds the population of Afrikaners in the country, which stands at approximately 2.6 million. This demographic influx, coupled with dire service delivery failures across municipalities, raises profound concerns regarding social cohesion and economic stability.
“Much of the public discourse centres on the failing infrastructure of key services such as housing, water, electricity and sanitation. In a country where the unemployment rate in the Eastern Cape has soared to 54%, the arrival of a substantial number of immigrants seeking employment further complicates an already strained labour market,” he said.
“Instead, they are establishing separate enclaves, which, while not necessarily prosperous, offer higher living standards than many South Africans can attain.
“Simultaneously, these communities are increasingly relying on the country’s social services, from hospitals to educational institutions, creating a situation that some say is ripe for conflict.”
DAILY NEWS