Growing tensions around immigration in South Africa have sparked widespread debate across the African continent after activists from a grassroots movement launched campaigns demanding that undocumented foreigners, including Ugandans and other African nationals, leave the country before the end of June 2026.
The campaign is being driven by a South African movement known as March and March, which has organized protests and demonstrations in several major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and parts of the Eastern Cape. The movement claims it is fighting to prioritize the interests of South African citizens first.
Led by activists including Nkosiikhona Ndabandaba and Jacinta Zinhle MaNgobese Zuma, the group argues that undocumented foreigners are contributing to crime, unemployment, and pressure on public services within South Africa.
The movement has reportedly issued a June 30, 2026 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country voluntarily. Activists involved in the campaign have also delivered memoranda to government offices demanding stricter immigration enforcement.
Videos circulating online have shown confrontations between some activists and African migrants living or working in South Africa. In one widely shared clip, an activist warned a Congolese migrant not to rely on government assurances of protection and advised him to leave before the stated deadline.
The activist further claimed he could not guarantee the safety of foreigners after June 30, remarks that immediately triggered criticism from people who accused the movement of promoting xenophobia and fear among migrants.
Another video showed an interaction with a Ugandan man who reportedly said he had traveled to South Africa for employment as a cook. The activist argued that such jobs should be reserved for South African citizens rather than foreign workers.
The statements have caused emotional reactions among many Ugandans and Africans online, with some expressing fear about increasing hostility toward migrants in South Africa while others defended the right of South Africans to demand stricter immigration control.
Critics of the movement say the campaign contradicts the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes humanity, unity, hospitality, and solidarity among African people regardless of nationality or background.
Former Ugandan security chief David Sejusa reacted strongly to the videos, criticizing the activists and questioning the logic behind targeting Africans seeking opportunities within the continent.
Sejusa argued that migrants often contribute economically to host countries through education, labor, and business activities. He also pointed out that many foreigners work freely in Uganda and other African countries without facing similar hostility.
Ugandan academic and philosopher Jimmy Spire Ssentongo also condemned the anti-foreigner rhetoric, describing the situation as deeply unfortunate and reflective of broader leadership failures across Africa.
Ssentongo argued that many Africans leave their home countries because of poor governance, corruption, unemployment, and economic hardship created by leaders who fail to invest in opportunities for ordinary citizens.
According to him, instead of blaming migrants, African governments should focus on improving conditions at home so that citizens are not forced to leave in search of survival and dignity elsewhere.
The debate has reignited wider discussions about immigration, unemployment, and economic inequality in South Africa, where frustrations over poverty and limited job opportunities have often fueled anti-foreigner sentiments over the years.
South Africa remains one of Africa’s largest economies and continues to attract migrants from across the continent seeking employment, education, safety, and business opportunities. However, economic pressures have repeatedly intensified tensions between locals and migrants.
Observers say the current situation reflects a growing wave of nationalist sentiment not only in South Africa but also in several countries globally where immigration has become a politically sensitive issue.
Some analysts have compared the rhetoric used by the movement to immigration crackdowns seen in countries such as the United States under policies associated with former President Donald Trump, where undocumented migrants faced stricter enforcement and deportation threats.
Human rights activists, however, continue warning that inflammatory language against foreigners could encourage discrimination, violence, and fear among migrant communities who are legally living and working within South Africa.
As online debate intensifies, many Africans are now questioning whether the continent’s vision of unity and free movement can survive amid rising economic frustrations, political populism, and growing anti-immigrant sentiment in some countries.
For now, uncertainty remains high among many foreign nationals living in South Africa as governments, activists, and communities continue grappling with one of the continent’s most sensitive and emotionally charged political issues.
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