Al-Qalam 
On social media, March & March announced its intention to March on September 3rd 2026, from King Dinuzulu Park to Moore Road, where migrants are still waiting to be sent back to their countries.
Firstly, we would like to thank the March & March organizers for highlighting the illegal migrant problem, which the Government, despite being approached many times, did not do enough to rectify. However, there have been many groups protesting Government inefficiency and corruption on many different social issues from time to time over the years but, did not go ‘on and on’ Marching and protesting.
March and March started their campaign as early as March 2024 and gained prominence in South African and international news media in 2025, when they stationed themselves at public health facilities in KZN. On 30 June (the deadline set by them for illegal immigrants to go), more than 20 civic groups were part of protests organised in all provinces. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, with marchers accompanied by police officers throughout the day. They did a good job of highlighting the illegal migrant problem nationally and globally, and we again thank them for that.
However, they are the only protest movement that wants to carry on Marching and protesting till local elections in November. Many political parties have joined them (Action SA, MK etc) and so the question arises: “Is it really a concern about illegal foreigners or something more than that?” Is there a hidden agenda to influence the November election?
To add to the intrigue, in August 2026 March and March formed a partnership with AfriForum, a body that makes no apologies for protecting the rights of the previous colonizers and oppressors of this country. A body that supported the lies Afrikaners took to the USA to complain that ‘white genocide’ is taking place in South Africa. Then, to add salt to the wound, they started attacking Islam and Muslims. March and March has increasingly integrated Islamophobic rhetoric into its nationalist, anti-migrant campaign, according to recent reports and socio-political analysts.
Analysts like Dr Imraan Buccus, observe that March and March’s anti-migrant narratives are being combined with far-right populist claims about “religious dominance” and cultural takeovers. Group leadership has portrayed the broader Muslim community as one whose motives are inherently suspect. Inkosi Sekelela Afrika.
Sheigh Rafeek Hassen
Founder & Director iiFRi- Islamic Interfaith Research Institute
Durban
