Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma: Who’s the woman leading March and March movement?

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has become one of the most-talked about public figures in South Africa, as the founder of the March and March movement.

WHO IS JACINTA NGOBESE-ZUMA?

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma was born on 6 July 1986 in KwaMushu, KwaZulu-Natal. She is a radio presenter, podcaster and civic activist who formerly presented on Vuma FM. She is also the founder of the March and March movement. The March and March movement is “a South African grassroots civic organisation” and anti-illegal immigration movement founded in March 2024.

March and March is registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO) and describes itself as a civic movement. It has branches in several provinces. Its first march was held in Durban on 24 March 2025. It has organised protests against illegal immigration across the country since. In April 2026, the movement organised marches in Tshwane and Johannesburg. 

Critics have labelled the movement “xenophobic”. Ngobese-Zuma has rejected this and said it is about enforcing immigration law rather than targeting people by nationality.

WILL SHE ENTER POLITICS?

There has been speculation about her entering politics. However, she denied that the movement has political ambitions or aligned to any party. However, she says she has received offers from partie, but she is reportedly not interested.

The movement made headlines again last week. Anti-immigration protests began in Durban on Thursday and included damage of property and violence. More than 14 vehicles torched and shops looted and burned. Police said 15 people were arrested. Ngobese-Zuma said the movement would resume its picket outside Durban’s Refugee Reception Centre on Sunday evening, 11 October, after the facility closed on Saturday.