Connect with us

Ghana News

The Face Behind South Africa’s Xenophobic Protests: Meet Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma

Published

on

A 39-year-old award-winning radio presenter from Durban has emerged as the unlikely leader of March-on-March, the anti-immigrant group behind the latest wave of attacks targeting African nationals across South Africa.


South Africans are currently up in arms, demonstrating and demanding that other African nationals who are in their country “illegally” leave because they are “stealing” jobs meant for their people.

These protests have resulted in violent confrontations with foreign nationals from across the continent, including Ghanaians and Nigerians, who are often brutalised and have their businesses vandalised.

The protests have also been captured driving foreign nationals out of South African public schools and health facilities.

But who is behind these protests, which have happened almost every year for the past decade? The answer is Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a 39-year-old mother, media personality, and the founder of an anti-illegal immigrant group called March-on-March.

From Radio Studio to Political Activism

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma is a radio presenter based in Durban, best known for hosting “The Cruise” on Vuma FM. Her broadcasting career spans multiple stations, including Vibe FM, Inanda FM, and Gagasi FM. In 2020, she won the Best Female Radio Presenter award at the KZN Entertainment Awards โ€” a testament to her influence and reach in South African media.

Yet it is not her radio work that has brought her international attention. In 2024, Ngobese-Zuma established March-on-March, a group created to “bring some spotlight to the issue of illegal immigration in South Africa” and to demand that South African citizens be prioritised in healthcare and public services.

Since its founding, March-on-March has grown from a local advocacy group into a national movement, organising protests that have drawn condemnation from leaders across the African continent, who describe the attacks as either “xenophobia” or “afrophobia”.

The Group’s Demands

Ngobese-Zuma’s March-on-March is currently advocating for three core policy objectives:

1. Enhanced Border Control and Immigration Enforcement
The group is demanding stricter enforcement of immigration regulations in South Africa, which it says is necessary to protect national security and ensure fair resource allocation.

2. Job Prioritisation for South African Citizens
March-on-March is fighting for policies that prioritise South African citizens in job markets and ensure fair employment opportunities without unfair competition from undocumented workers โ€” a direct response to longstanding grievances about foreign nationals “stealing jobs.”

3. Protection of Public Services
The group is campaigning to ensure that public services โ€” healthcare, education, and social benefits โ€” remain accessible to South African citizens without being strained by undocumented migration.

‘We Are Not Xenophobic’

In a recent interview, Ngobese-Zuma forcefully refuted assertions that the actions of her movement amount to xenophobia or afrophobia. Instead, she accused foreign nationals of being responsible for the high rate of crime in South Africa, adding that they are also serving as cheap labour and taking over jobs meant for the people of her country.

“We’re coming under attack from all across Africa for standing up for ourselves. And the quickest thing that they do, these other people from outside of South Africa, is to label us as xenophobic. You know, people who are not even in South Africa, who don’t even know what we’re going through, they don’t want to listen to what we’re complaining about,” she said.

“We’ve lived with people from outside South Africa, actually, for 32 years, 32 years in millions and millions of them, but if you walk right down the road, you’ll find that they now are taking over buildings, there’s prostitution, there’s drugs, there’s cartels, there’s mafias. Everything in this country is a fertile ground for criminals to thrive,” she fumed.

She added:

“So we’re not getting the best of the best when it comes to immigrants. We’re getting those immigrants who are running away from their countries because they know that they are criminal elements, and our government is just letting them be because they want to paint them as victims. They’re not victims.”

A Decade of Recurring Violence

The story notes that these protests have happened “almost every year for the past decade,” indicating a chronic pattern of xenophobic violence in South Africa. From the 2015 attacks on foreign nationals to the 2019 Johannesburg unrest and now the 2026 March-on-March-led protests, the country has struggled to contain waves of anti-immigrant sentiment.

Leaders across the African continent, from Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama to the African Union Commission, have repeatedly condemned these attacks. However, Ngobese-Zuma and her followers remain unmoved, arguing that African leaders do not understand the lived reality of ordinary South Africans.

What This Means for African Nationals

For Ghanaians, Nigerians, Zimbabweans, and other African nationals living in South Africa, March-on-March represents a direct threat. The group’s rhetoric has translated into action: businesses vandalised, individuals assaulted, and foreign nationals driven out of public facilities.

The Ghanaian government has issued travel advisories, and the Minority Caucus in Parliament has demanded presidential-level engagement with South African authorities. Meanwhile, victims like Emmanuel Asamoah โ€” whose assault was widely circulated on social media โ€” have become symbols of the crisis.

The Road Ahead

As March-on-March continues to gain momentum, questions remain about how South African authorities will respond. Ngobese-Zuma shows no sign of backing down, and her media background gives her a powerful platform to amplify her message.

Whether African leaders can persuade both the South African government and movements like March-on-March to embrace dialogue over violence remains to be seen. For now, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma stands as the face behind South Africa’s xenophobic protests โ€” a radio presenter turned political firebrand who has become the nemesis of African nationals across the continent.

Ghana News

American Expats in Ghana Get a Helping Hand to Vote in 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections

Published

on

With the 2026 U.S. midterm elections fast approaching, American citizens living in Ghana are receiving a timely boost to ensure their voices are heard from thousands of miles away.

The Vote from Abroad Team in Ghana is set to host a specialized voter registration and assistance event this weekend, designed to navigate the complexities of overseas voting.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, at 2:00 PM (Ghana time) at Theia’s Coffee House in the Airport Residential Area of Accra. Volunteers will be on the ground to provide trained assistance, guiding participants through the process of registering to vote and requesting their absentee ballots. The organizers have set a goal to register at least 50 new overseas voters in a single afternoon.

“This is a crucial opportunity,” said Lenny Baer, a volunteer with the Vote from Abroad Team in Ghana. “Many US citizens often don’t realize they can vote from overseas. We can, and our votes help determine the outcome of elections across the US.”

Why This Outreach Matters

This initiative is part of a broader effort by Democrats Abroad, the official arm of the Democratic Party representing Americans living outside the United States . The organization operates a volunteer-run network with chapters on six continents, working to protect the voting rights of the estimated 9 million Americans living abroad .

While the event is hosted by Democrats Abroad, the organizers emphasize that it is open to all U.S. citizens living in Ghana, irrespective of political party affiliation . This nonpartisan approach to voter assistance is a core tenant of the organization’s mission, reflecting their commitment to helping any American facing voting challenges . Through their platform, VoteFromAbroad.org, they provide a public service that helps citizens register and participate in elections regardless of their political leanings .

Midterm elections historically see lower voter turnout than presidential elections, particularly among overseas voters who often face bureaucratic hurdles or are simply unaware of their eligibility . With all 435 House seats and approximately 36 Senate seats up for grabs in 2026, every single voteโ€”including those from Accraโ€”holds the potential to tip the balance of power in Congress .

How to Participate

For those unable to attend the event in person, organizers have confirmed that a virtual session will be held simultaneously . Interested voters can RSVP through the VoteFromAbroad.org platform to receive the online meeting link and receive the same level of one-on-one assistance in completing their ballot request forms.

Trained voting assistants will also be available to answer questions, help participants complete their Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)โ€”the standard federal form needed to request a ballotโ€”and ensure that their voting rights are protected .

For Americans in Ghana, this Saturday’s event is more than just a registration drive; it is a critical lifeline to the democratic process back home, ensuring that their geographic distance does not translate into political silence.

Continue Reading

Ghana News

Top Headlines from Ghanaian Newspapers: Monday, August 24, 2026

Published

on

Monday, August 24, 2026 โ€“ Ghanaโ€™s front pages are dominated by a fierce political standoff over GoldBod’s massive financial losses, a significant government U-turn granting a lifeline to Adamus Resources, and a highly competitive race for NPP national executive positions ahead of the 2028 elections.

1. The GoldBod $1.7bn Loss Saga: War of Words Escalates
The Minority in Parliament is refusing to back down on the GoldBod losses, while the state gold company’s CEO faces intense scrutiny.

  • “No Distraction: Afenyo-Markin, Minority Sustain Heat โ€ฆOn $1.7bn Gold Loss” (Day Break), with The Daily Statesman stating “PERSONAL ATTACKS WON’T DISTRACT US.”
  • The Source reports “Sammy Gyamfi’s Extortion Claim False – Afenyo-Markin,” while The Inquisitor and The Daily Gist note the Minority Leader is “Threatening Legal Action” over the allegation.
  • The Informer headlines “Minority Hauls GoldBod CEO Before Parliament” over the controversy.
  • NewsCentra digs into the numbers, reporting “GHยข29.1bn Gold Losses In 4 Years – The role of GoldBod and BoG explained,” while The Custodian leads with “Minority Vows To Probe GHยข22bn Gold Trading Loss.”

2. Mahama Intervenes: The Adamus U-Turn
President John Dramani Mahama has stepped into the heated standoff between the Lands Ministry and Adamus Resources, granting the mining giant a 12-month reprieve.

  • Daily Democrat and The Insight lead with “Mahama Rescues Adamus Resources” / “Gives Adamus Reprieve.”
  • The Daily Banner and The Ghanaian Publisher frame this as a “Government Flip-Flop Questioned” or a “U-Turn.”
  • The Informer reports the President “Gives Company Amnesty To Operate Under New Arrangement.”

3. NPP Internal Elections: 50 Battle for Top Posts
The race for the NPP’s national executive positions is officially underway, drawing a massive field of candidates.

  • Daily Guide reports “50 Battle For NPP Top Posts,” while The Source and NewsCentra note “50 Aspirants Chase 11 Positions.”
  • The Chronicle and The Daily Gist report “Afoko Files Chairmanship Papers Morrow” (Tuesday).
  • In the Communications Director race, Daily Analyst and The Source report “Gordon Asare-Bediako withdraws from NPP Communications Race โ€ฆEndorses Dennis Miracles Aboagye.”
  • Republic Press highlights the upcoming internal vote with “50 Battle For NPP National Executive Posts.”

4. Galamsey, Security, and Public Health

  • Daily Analyst leads with a tragic report: “Kakum Forest Reserve Wildlife Guard Shot Dead.”
  • The Daily Statesman reports “Galamsey destroys over 100 acres of farmland,” while The Informer quotes the Interior Minister vowing to “Get Tough!” on illegal mining.
  • On the health front, Daily Analyst and The Exclusive report Ghana’s plan to “Reverse 70% Medicine Imports Through 24-Hour Economy,” while Daily Democrat notes a “GMTF, Atlantic Lifesciences Partner to Cut Drug Costs.”

5. Economy, Banking, and Tax

  • Graphic Business leads with a major fiscal milestone: “Ghana now spends less than 20% on servicing debt.” This is supported by The Custodian, which reports “Ghana Signs โ‚ฌ163m Debt Restructuring Deal With Belgium.”
  • B&FT highlights “Gov’t weighs lifting grain export ban โ€ฆamid 70,000mt rice glut.” The paper also reports “Robust investor confidence in economy returns โ€ฆlocal investments hit US$816m, FDIs US$2.62bn.”
  • Graphic Business also flags the “23 banks, one dollar, many prices” phenomenon, exposing varying FX costs across banks.

6. Judicial and Political Fallout

  • Republic Press reports the “Supreme Court clears way for legal vacation criminal trials โ€ฆDismisses Oppong Nkrumah’s injunction bid,” a ruling also confirmed by Daily Guide.
  • The Daily Gist reports a tragic cross-border incident: “Man Drowns While Helping Travellers Cross Ghana-Togo River.”

Continue Reading

Ghana News

Ghanaian Firms Inject โ‚ฌ425,000 of Own Funds to Ignite ‘Made in Ghana’ Health Innovation

Published

on

In a powerful demonstration of local ownership, Ghanaian research institutions and pharmaceutical manufacturers are contributing an additional โ‚ฌ425,000 of their own money to implement innovative health projects, signaling a robust commitment to advancing homegrown medical solutions beyond relying on foreign aid alone.

The co-funding is part of a โ‚ฌ2 million grant package awarded under the PharmaVax Ghana program, backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU).

The initiative is designed to bridge the critical gap between scientific discovery and industrial-scale manufacturing within Ghana.

While the grants provide vital financial fuel, the local co-investmentโ€”which ranges from โ‚ฌ10,000 to โ‚ฌ150,000 across the eight winning projectsโ€”represents a crucial “skin in the game” approach.

It shows that local institutions are not merely passive recipients of aid, but active stakeholders willing to risk their own capital to bring products to the market. This practical commitment underscores the sustainability of the projects, ensuring they are not abandoned once international funding cycles end.

The projects span a wide range of medical priorities, including fast-dissolving oral tablets for child-friendly malaria treatment, AI-powered diagnostic tools for Mpox and malaria, standardized herbal treatments for hypertension and liver disease, and stability data for locally produced tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.

Highlighting the importance of this local participation, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), emphasized that the funds are meant to catalyze local capabilities.

“Ghana has the scientific talent, the research institutions and an increasingly capable pharmaceutical industry to develop health solutions that respond to our own priorities,” he stated. “By bringing these strengths together, we are creating the foundation for medicines and vaccines that are developed in Ghana, manufactured in Ghana, and have the potential to benefit the wider region.”

Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, echoed this sentiment, noting that the initiative marks a journey where researchers and manufacturers collaborate to transform scientific discoveries into life-saving products.

The โ‚ฌ425,000 in local contributionsโ€”combined with the โ‚ฌ2 million in grants and technical assistance from the EU and Germanyโ€”positions Ghana as a rising hub for pharmaceutical industrialization in West Africa, moving the nation closer to health security and economic self-reliance.

Continue Reading

Trending