DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — Transitioning from mass street demonstrations to formal institutional advocacy, the March and March movement is launching dedicated legal and social frameworks to champion the rights of local citizens. Movement founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma announced the strategic pivot during a comprehensive media address, reflecting on the aftermath of the June 30, 2026, demonstrations against undocumented migration and outlining an aggressive, multi-tiered roadmap for the organization’s “Phase Two.”
Reflecting on the nationwide mobilization, Ngobese-Zuma reported that over 200,000 South Africans participated in more than 300 marches. She vehemently rejected labels of xenophobia or violence, asserting that the demonstrations were peaceful and driven by a demand for the rule of law. According to the movement, the pressure campaign has already yielded tangible results, including the departure of over 100,000 undocumented immigrants, a 28% reduction in crime within the Durban Central District, and the alleviation of severe burdens on public healthcare facilities and local schools, such as Addington Primary School.
**Institutionalizing the Movement: New NGOs and Economic Initiatives**
To sustain momentum beyond the protests, the movement unveiled two major non-profit entities designed to provide structural support to marginalized communities. The newly established **SA First Forum** will serve as a legal vanguard and justice buffer for black South Africans. Its immediate mandate involves launching constitutional litigation against a controversial July 20, 2026, South African Police Service (SAPS) circular. Issued by Divisional Commissioner of Operations MJ Mamotheti, the directive instructed police to refrain from participating in civilian-led actions to identify or remove undocumented foreigners, instead referring such complaints to the Department of Home Affairs or the Border Management Authority (BMA). Ngobese-Zuma condemned the circular as an unconstitutional measure that ties the hands of already underfunded and under-resourced police officers.
Simultaneously, the M&M Foundation was introduced to combat deep-rooted social ills. The foundation aims to fund educational initiatives, run drug rehabilitation programs, and help young women escape prostitution.
On the economic front, the movement revealed it is finalizing partnerships within the delivery sector to reserve approximately 10,000 job opportunities exclusively for South African youth. Ngobese-Zuma emphasized that the township economy is gradually reopening for local entrepreneurs and reiterated demands for a physical border wall or proper fencing to curb both illegal immigration and the influx of dangerous illicit goods.
Clashes with Law Enforcement and Political Figures
The briefing featured sharp criticisms of government leadership. Ngobese-Zuma condemned the Minister of Police for allegedly ignoring the crises in black townships—including fatal food poisonings linked to “spaza shop mafias”—while exclusively engaging with Somali and Pakistani nationals. She also criticized the Minister of Home Affairs for his conspicuous absence from ground operations. Conversely, she praised Home Affairs Director General Tommy Makhode and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs for their active, hands-on engagement and operational support.
Ngobese-Zuma also fired back at Mr. Fikile Mbalula, who recently characterized the movement as a clandestine “political project” aligned with parties like the IFP, MK, or foreign interests. She accused Mbalula of utilizing “useless press briefings” to deflect from the government’s border negligence and the devastation caused by illicit drug and scholarship syndicates.
The movement noted that a white paper is currently moving through parliament to introduce the “first safe country principle,” a legislative shift they believe will block refugee claims from nationals of countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Violence, Protection Rackets, and Geopolitical Demands
Addressing the darker realities of the immigration crisis, Ngobese-Zuma honored victims of violence linked to protection fee syndicates, including Douglas and Ven. She also highlighted the severe stabbing of activist Pastor Mjosti’s sister Nomthandazo Mbhele, who was allegedly attacked over 40 times by a Congolese militant posing as a pastor. In response to the rise of protection fee mafias, the movement announced plans to partner with progressive security companies to protect communities and called on SAPS to investigate specific security firms, explicitly naming a company referred to as “Syria.”
With the SADC summit currently hosted in Durban, the movement issued a direct challenge to visiting African heads of state. Ngobese-Zuma urged leaders to resolve the political and economic instability in their home countries so their citizens are not forced to flee to South Africa. She specifically called out the President of Malawi for ignoring his citizens protesting at a local drive-in during his visit, and demanded that the Zimbabwean government take responsibility for its people, noting the recent release of Zimbabwean activist Bhekimpilo Mbedzi on a $200 bail following his incarceration for staging a protest.
Internal Restructuring: A Shift Away from “Content Creation”
As the movement enters “Phase Two”—a three-month period concluding in September—Ngobese-Zuma confirmed a definitive split with an entertainer and podcaster. She explained that the organization is moving away from the “content creation” phase associated with podcasts and reality television to focus entirely on the serious business of policy enforcement and saving lives.
“We deal with people’s lives here, and they are not dying in vain for it to just be content creation,” Ngobese-Zuma stated, emphasizing that the decision was made to safeguard the movement from infiltration and reputational risk as it matures into a permanent civic machinery for the people of South Africa.
