Who is Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma? The woman at the centre of South Africa’s migration storm

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has become one of South Africa’s most talked-about figures lauded by some and accused of stoking xenophobia by others. In a recent interview in Durban she described why she founded the March and March movement, how she sees the crisis around undocumented migration and how the controversy has affected her.

A different public image

The woman pictured in headlines carrying a knobkerrie and leading marches arrived at Durban’s Beverly Hills Hotel appearing “soft‑spoken. Vulnerable. Gentle,” according to the reporter. She told the reporter she felt exhausted, apologised for being late and at times struggled to hold back tears.

Why she started March and March

Ngobese-Zuma described a progression from broadcaster to activist. She said:

“I was becoming more and more affected by children being kidnapped, drugs coming into our communities and it was always a foreign national behind it. It gave me sleepless nights. I couldn’t ignore the cries of mothers who couldn’t access healthcare or secure spaces in schools for their children, because facilities were overwhelmed in many cases by undocumented immigrants. I had to do something.”

She told the reporter she put a protest on social media and did not expect the movement to grow as it did. Her stated aim is for undocumented immigrants to be returned so that limited resources can benefit poor and vulnerable South Africans:

“Every country prioritises its own citizens. Why shouldn’t South Africa?”

Controversy and criticism

The media coverage described in the interview includes reports of foreign nationals shutting down their businesses, Ghanaians returning home amid hostility, looting of foreign‑owned shops and a reported June 30 deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa. The interview notes that these developments have created a diplomatic crisis and prompted accusations that South Africa is being labelled xenophobic.

Ngobese-Zuma told the reporter she is being misrepresented and said:

“I’m tired of constantly being painted as the leader of a vigilante group that goes around attacking foreigners. That’s not who we are.”

On alleged violence and cultural symbols

The reporter raised the image problem created by men carrying knobkerries and sjamboks during marches. Ngobese-Zuma replied that such items can be part of Zulu tradition:

“But even at weddings and other celebrations the men carry knobkerries and things like that, doesn’t mean they’re preparing for an attack? It’s part of Zulu tradition.”

She said March and March has boundaries when it comes to hospitals:

“March and March has never entered hospitals. Other groups may have done that, but we know our boundaries. We have always stood outside hospitals.”

Complaints about government response

Ngobese-Zuma told the reporter she and the movement have sought help from officials:

“What people don’t know is that we met with the ministers of health and education, and approached police. We asked authorities to accompany us to verify undocumented foreigners, but we were told there was no capacity and insufficient resources.”

She said she presented proposals to Parliament and expressed frustration with political leadership:

“We desperately need new leadership. A president willing to act. Things are falling apart, and our leaders simply don’t care.”

Political offers and personal stance

The interview addressed speculation about a political future. Ngobese-Zuma said she has received offers from parties but is not interested:

“I’m not doing this for fame or votes. I have offers from 8 political parties, but I’m not interested. I’m tired.”

The human side

Throughout the conversation she spoke of exhaustion and emotion, at one point cupping her head and later crying. She framed her activism as driven by concern for children and poor communities, repeating the point that her focus is on undocumented migrants whom she says strain services:

“There is no record of who they are, their history or their healthcare status. Some use healthcare services, collect medication and resell it. What is xenophobic about wanting undocumented migrants removed?”

The interview presents Ngobese-Zuma as a polarising figure: a founder of a movement that has mobilised people around migration concerns, and a person who insists her aims are not xenophobic while acknowledging the public relations and ethical problems raised by images and reports associated with the wider social unrest.