POLITICS: Poverty, political playbooks and Jacob Zuma — the forces behind SA’s anti-immigrant crisis

A growing political controversy has emerged in South Africa following accusations from Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the leader of the March and March movement, against ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. The dispute centers around Mbalula's claim that the movement is aligned with the MK Party, a group historically associated with former President Jacob Zuma. Ngobese-Zuma responded strongly, accusing Mbalula of using the accusation as a tactic rooted in "fear of Jacob Zuma" rather than legitimate critique of the movement itself.

Ngobese-Zuma made these remarks in response to Mbalula’s social media post, in which he shared a photograph of her and her husband meeting with MK Party leadership, including Nathi Nhleko. Mbalula questioned why such meetings with the MK Party were scrutinized, yet similar engagement with other political figures had gone unmentioned. He pointed out that Ngobese-Zuma and her spouse had met with MK leaders without her being present during a meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and other prominent figures, raising questions about selective focus on the MK connection.

Ngobese-Zuma addressed these allegations directly, stating that the issue was not about the movement's association with the MK Party but rather the perceived fear of Zuma among ANC officials. She emphasized that the movement had engaged with numerous political entities, including ActionSA, IFP, DA, Afrika Mayibuye, ATM, and Operation Dudula, and questioned why only the MK meeting was highlighted. She argued that Mbalula was selectively targeting the MK link while ignoring the broader political interactions of the movement.

The controversy comes amid ongoing public discourse surrounding the movement’s political activities, particularly a meeting held shortly before the 30 June protest. That meeting included President Ramaphosa and notable figures such as Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, commonly referred to as Phakel’umthakathi. However, Ngobese-Zuma was not present during this gathering, and she claimed she had not been informed about the meeting or its contents beforehand. She stated that she had repeatedly attempted to schedule a meeting with President Ramaphosa but had not received a response.

Ngobese-Zuma further criticized Mbalula for suggesting that the movement's political engagements indicate political alignment. She pointed out that the ANC had previously welcomed her removal from her position, making it questionable whether the movement was politically aligned with the ANC. She reiterated that the movement had organized its protests independently, without ANC involvement, and that the goal of meeting with the President was solely to address issues related to undocumented immigration.

Ngobese-Zuma also recalled how Mbalula had initially doubted the legitimacy of the movement, questioning her identity and the viability of the protests before they gained national traction. She noted that Mbalula had attempted to label the movement as vigilantes and had raised concerns about tribalism, but now seemed intent on associating the movement with MK to undermine its credibility.

The broader context of the controversy involves the ANC's recent statements regarding the anti-immigrant protests, which have drawn comparisons to past actions attributed to Zuma and the MK Party. While Zuma and MK have consistently denied any involvement, the ANC's references to Zuma's history raise questions about the political motivations behind the current situation. The ANC appears to be attempting to frame the issue as one tied to Zuma's influence rather than purely about migration policies.

The underlying tension reflects deeper societal shifts in South Africa, mirroring global trends where declining standards of living have fueled populist sentiments. In South Africa, however, these sentiments have found limited political expression due to the dominance of traditional parties like the ANC and DA. The emergence of movements like March and March highlights a new dynamic in political discourse, challenging existing power structures and exposing fractures within the ruling party.

As the situation unfolds, the political landscape remains fluid, with both the ANC and opposition groups likely to continue engaging in strategic maneuvering. The outcome could significantly impact the trajectory of anti-immigrant sentiments and the broader political narrative in South Africa.