DURBAN, South Africa — The civic movement March and March led a prominent protest in Durban coinciding with the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit, urging African leaders to place mass migration and its root causes at the top of their regional agenda.
A large contingent of law enforcement officers was deployed to the Durban City Hall to ensure security as the demonstration unfolded. The primary objective of the gathering was to draw the attention of the converged African leaders to the growing movement of people across the region, which activists note is heavily driven by ongoing conflict and severe economic factors.
Spokespersons and activists representing March and March emphasized that African leaders must take direct responsibility for what the group describes as a regional crisis. During the demonstration, movement representatives voiced frustration over perceived governmental priorities, questioning why authorities appear to favor undocumented foreigners while failing to adequately assist South African citizens.
The group firmly asserted that their actions do not stem from xenophobia. Instead, they framed the protest as a necessary demand for tighter border controls and the strict enforcement of existing immigration laws. According to the movement, their ongoing campaign against undocumented foreign nationals has already resulted in the voluntary repatriation and deportation of thousands of individuals, primarily originating from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
Addressing the crowd, March and March activists highlighted the everyday realities of local communities. They expressed that South Africans are exhausted by feeling unsafe and unprotected in their own country. The spokespersons clarified that the movement does not oppose the presence of foreigners who are properly documented, law-abiding, and genuinely invested in the country’s well-being. However, they strongly condemned those who allegedly exploit national resources with the intention of returning to their home countries once their objectives are met.
Looking ahead, March and March announced their intention to intensify the campaign against undocumented foreign nationals. The civic movement has officially handed over a memorandum to the government, issuing a one-week ultimatum for a formal response to their demands.
Â