STRAND – “Hamba uhambe, hamba uhambe” were chants ringing through the air in the streets of Lwandle and Nomzamo on Friday morning (29 May), as hundreds called for “illegal” foreigners to leave their community.

Nandiloha Matolong, one of the organisers, said the communities are overwhelmed with foreigners taking over and flooding the streets with drugs.
Residents handed over a memorandum to Lwandle police including a list of demands demanding that spaza shops owned by foreign nationals be closed within seven days.

“The police must do it, otherwise we will do it ourselves,” said Matolong.

The march was preceded by a Facebook post shared across the Helderberg, informing residents about the protesters’ route. By 11:00, authorities – including local police and the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement – were managing proceedings.

The protest was organised by anti-foreigner group March and March, which emerged in KwaZulu-Natal and has since spread to Tshwane, Johannesburg and now Cape Town. It condemns undocumented immigration, calling for “illegal” foreigners to leave the country and government to take a stronger stance on migration.

March and March is spearheaded by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who recently declared: “Ubuntu is suspended until further notice.”

Dr Mamphela Ramphele, chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust, and Niclas Kjellstrom-Matseke, chairperson of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, slammed the group and its position, saying it seeks to deny humanity to African immigrants and refugees.

The Lwandle march followed a controversial protest in Kraaifontein which included learners from high schools in the area.

Another march has been slated for Saturday 30 May in Goodwood. The organisation vowed to continue marching until government adheres to its calls and demands.