Protest group March and March is readying a national day of mass protest and shutdown across South Africa on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, targeting illegal immigration while also incorporating a nationwide march by men against gender-based violence. The upcoming actions follow previous demonstrations held on 30 June 2026, where the group had warned that further mass mobilization would occur after three months.
Expanded Focus for Nationwide Marches on 30 September
The 30 September demonstrations have evolved to address multiple national crises. Alongside the ongoing protests against illegal immigrants, protest group March and March has added the recent murders of 12 women to its calls to action, designating the date as a day for men across South Africa to march against gender-based violence (GBV) and crime. Marches are scheduled to take place in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and other major cities.
“We call upon all South African men to take to the streets across the country to speak in one voice and claim our society back from criminals. We are part of the problem, and we must fix it,” the group stated.
The group’s leadership contends that the demonstrations are not xenophobic. March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma argued that South Africa is falling apart due to a lack of sufficient resources. “We don’t have enough schools, hospitals and buildings, but we find ourselves having to carry the burden for all of Africa,” Ngobese-Zuma said, suggesting that other African leaders should address why people are leaving their home countries.
Did You Know? Ahead of the previous 30 June protest deadline, R600 million was allocated to peacekeeping operations, though official reports show that only R306 million was ultimately spent.
Government Response and Public Safety Measures
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for calm and unity ahead of the nationwide gatherings. In his weekly letter to the nation, the president addressed both rising anti-foreigner tensions and gender-based violence, pointing to the recent murders as a stain on the national conscience. “We cannot claim to be a society founded on freedom, equality and human dignity while half of our population lives in fear of violence,” President Ramaphosa said.
Addressing perceptions regarding foreign nationals, the president emphasized that the country refuses to be defined by xenophobia and intolerance, while maintaining that migration must occur within the bounds of the law. “The government has a responsibility to manage our borders effectively, and everyone who lives in South Africa is required to respect our laws,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) stated that the new protest deadline is arbitrary and unsupported by official government channels. The police force confirmed that the upcoming dates will not alter their operational approach, emphasizing that their focus remains on maintaining law and order and responding to incidents as they occur.
Details of the national shutdown and protests on 30 September 2026
When is the national shutdown taking place?
The mass protest and national shutdown are scheduled for Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
What issues are protesters marching against?
Protesters are demonstrating against illegal immigration and participating in a Men’s March against gender-based violence and crime, following the recent murders of 12 women.
How is the government responding to the protests?
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for calm, unity, and adherence to the law, while the South African Police Service has confirmed it will maintain normal policing operations to keep law and order.
How will local businesses and communities prepare for potential disruptions during the 30 September protests?