March and March sets September 30 deportation deadline
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Aug 17, 2026 · Last updated Aug 17, 2026
The renewed anti-immigration campaign could heighten political and social instability in South Africa, potentially affecting investor confidence and the rand. Regional tensions may impact trade and diplomatic relations within SADC, though direct market impact is likely limited in the short term.
On August 17, 2026, the South African anti-immigration group March and March staged a protest in Durban during the 46th SADC Summit, announcing a new deadline of September 30 for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. The group, which had previously led nationwide protests on June 30, called on African leaders to prepare for mass deportations, describing the upcoming action as 'the mother of all protests.' President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned discrimination and violence against foreign nationals, emphasizing the contradiction between regional integration and exclusion. The protest has heightened tensions over immigration, with several African countries, including Nigeria, having facilitated repatriation of their citizens following earlier unrest. The movement's spokesperson Sandile Dube indicated plans to intensify the campaign, urging South Africans to report undocumented immigrants to authorities.
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