The ‘March and March’ movement and Basotho

March & March is a South African grassroots movement advocating for stricter immigration enforcement and prioritizing citizens’ access to jobs, services, and resources. Led by activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, it targets undocumented foreigners amid high unemployment and service strains.

March & March began in 2025 in KwaZulu-Natal as community discussions on illegal immigration’s impacts evolved into organized protests. The name symbolizes ongoing action, with rallies demanding border controls, deportations, and citizen-first policies. It has mobilized over 50,000 people across nine provinces, submitting 12+ policy recommendations to Parliament and gaining media traction.

The group calls for enforcing immigration laws, stronger borders, and reserving jobs, healthcare, and education for South Africans. They link undocumented migrants to unemployment, crime, and overburdened services, framing protests as survival fights. Supporters include civic allies like Operation Dudula and ANC Youth League branches, pressuring businesses to hire locals.

In late April 2026, March & March expanded to Gauteng, marching in Tshwane to the Union Buildings and Johannesburg CBD, delivering memorandums to legislatures. Protesters warned foreign-owned shops to close, echoing past Durban violence, though organizers urged peace. By early May, they held rallies in Durban and Eastern Cape, vowing persistence despite government inaction. Leader Ngobese-Zuma handed herself to police over a protest charge, reinforcing commitment.

Basotho from Lesotho form a major migrant group in South Africa, with historical ties via permits like the extended Lesotho Exemption Permit. Many work in Free State farms, Gauteng construction, and informal trade, but face scrutiny as “foreigners” despite bilateral agreements. Lesotho launched amnesty in April 2026 for overstayers without crimes, registering them for SA clearance.

March & March protests heighten fears for Basotho, who endure harassment, shop closures, and threats during marches. Past anti-migrant actions, including by similar groups, forced bribes for healthcare access, denying services without SA IDs. In response, the Hands-Off Basotho movement marched to Lesotho’s Pretoria embassy on May 4, 2026, petitioning against its “silence” amid attacks. Basotho report poor treatment, straining livelihoods in a nation hosting thousands.

Critics say March & March oversimplifies migration, risking violence and constitutional breaches, as seen in court challenges. Yet it taps frustrations, boosting anti-foreigner rhetoric pre-elections. For Basotho in Bloemfontein – near the border – daily risks rise, with calls for diplomatic action unmet. The movement plans an app for updates, signalling sustained pressure.