Cape Town Anti-Immigrant March: A Colonial Hangover in the Rain
On a cold, rainy Thursday, a small but vocal group of anti-immigrant protesters marched through Cape Town's city centre, demanding a freeze on all foreign visas and permits. The march, organised by March and March Cape Town, the Labour and Civic Organisation (LACO), and Operation Dudula, was met with heavy police presence, including a Nyala armoured vehicle and a water cannon truck. But beneath the surface of this protest lies a deeper, more troubling narrative about the legacy of apartheid and the scapegoating of foreign nationals for South Africa's own failures.
This is not just a protest. It is a symptom of a society still grappling with the wounds of colonialism and the economic inequalities it left behind. The marchers, predominantly black South Africans, are directing their anger at the wrong target. Instead of holding the government accountable for failing to deliver on promises of land reform, jobs, and housing, they are blaming immigrants for the country's woes. This is a dangerous and divisive path that plays into the hands of those who benefit from a divided working class.
Who Are the Protesters and What Do They Want?
The group, numbering only a few dozen, gathered outside St George's Cathedral before marching up Long Street, Cape Town's nightlife hub. Charlie Roux, the March and March Cape Town branch leader, claimed without evidence that 'the clubs, the restaurants... it's only foreign, mostly foreign nationals working on them.' This baseless assertion was used to justify the targeting of individuals perceived to be foreign, with protesters pointing at people and telling them to 'go home.'
The memorandum handed to the Department of Home Affairs calls for an 'immediate freeze on processing all foreign visas, work permits, and residency papers' and an audit of all permits issued in recent years. The demand is framed as a way to prioritise four million undocumented South African citizens, but it ignores the reality that many of these so-called 'undocumented' citizens are victims of a broken administrative system, not of immigration.
The Irony of Targeting Black Immigrants
The protest's target is deeply ironic. Many of the marchers are themselves descendants of black South Africans who were displaced and dispossessed by apartheid. Now, they are turning on other black Africans who are fleeing poverty, war, and instability in their own countries. This is a betrayal of the pan-African solidarity that was central to the anti-apartheid struggle. It is a colonial hangover, where the oppressed become the oppressor.
One local, Mpho Mapai, a South African who has lived in Cape Town for 33 years, was targeted by protesters despite supporting the march. 'The march is good. It's going to have good results, and I know some people get offended, but it's not supposed to be [offensive],' he said. This contradiction is at the heart of the protest: a desire for change that is misdirected and ultimately harmful to the very community it claims to represent.
Police Presence and the State's Response
The heavy police presence, including dozens of vehicles and a water cannon, raises questions about the state's priorities. Why is so much force deployed to protect a small group of protesters who are openly targeting and harassing individuals? Meanwhile, communities in townships like Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain face daily violence and neglect. The state's response to this march is a reminder that the apartheid-era security apparatus is still alive and well, used to manage dissent rather than address its root causes.
Alvaro Singh, LACO spokesperson, defended the protesters' actions, claiming they were 'retaliating' to provocation. But this is a weak justification for behaviour that is clearly xenophobic and divisive. The marchers are not victims; they are perpetrators of a narrative that pits black against black.
The Bigger Picture: A Movement Losing Steam?
The turnout was sparse, and the movement appears to be losing momentum. Despite this, organisers have vowed to continue weekly protests for the next six months. But the question remains: what will these protests achieve? Thousands of migrants have already left South Africa in the lead-up to and since the 30 June protests. Charlie Roux expressed satisfaction with this, saying, 'I'm glad. I wish they could leave more in numbers, in bigger numbers. Go home. Go fix your country. Go fix your own problems in your own home.'
This is not a solution. It is a scapegoat. The real problems facing South Africa are structural: land inequality, unemployment, and a failing education system. These will not be solved by blaming immigrants. They will only be solved by a government that is truly accountable to its people, and by a society that rejects the divisive politics of the past.
FAQ: Understanding the Anti-Immigrant Movement in South Africa
What is the March and March movement?
March and March is a South African protest movement led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. It has organised a series of anti-immigrant protests across the country, calling for stricter immigration controls and the prioritisation of South African citizens in employment and services.
Why are these protests happening now?
The protests are fuelled by high unemployment, economic inequality, and a perception that immigrants are taking jobs and resources. However, these grievances are often manipulated by political actors to divert attention from the government's failures.
What is the impact on immigrants?
Thousands of migrants, both documented and undocumented, have left South Africa due to fear of violence and harassment. The protests have created a climate of xenophobia that threatens the safety and dignity of foreign nationals living in the country.
What can be done to address the root causes?
South Africa needs a comprehensive approach that includes land reform, job creation, and investment in education and healthcare. Blaming immigrants is a distraction from these urgent tasks. Solidarity across racial and national lines is essential to build a truly just and equitable society.