Ghana News

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

Published

2 months ago

April 30, 2026

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 — 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 — 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 — healthcare, education, and social benefits — 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.”

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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 — whose assault was widely circulated on social media — 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 — a radio presenter turned political firebrand who has become the nemesis of African nationals across the continent.

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Ghana News

New Book Highlights the Economic Contributions of Ghana’s Market Women

Published

5 hours ago

June 15, 2026

GNG Staff

A new book examining the significant challenges faced by women traders in Ghanaian marketplaces is set to spotlight the critical role market women play in national development and offer policy recommendations to address longstanding social and economic barriers.

The book project began in July 2019 when Professor Ezenwayi Amaechi Ejiribe traveled to Ghana to conduct training programs and seminars for market women entrepreneurs.

A Social Entrepreneur and the Founder of Micro Enterprise Social Entrepreneurship (MESENow), an organization that empowers women, youth, and grassroots entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into impact, Professor Ezenwayi Amaechi Ejiribe, was introduced to Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa, who shared a similar passion for empowering market women and had co-founded The Makola Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial literacy education and financial resources to market traders in Ghana.

What began as an initial conversation between the two scholars evolved into a collaborative effort to document and analyze the complex realities of women traders’ lives.

As discussions progressed, the project expanded beyond economic challenges to examine the significant social injustices that market women frequently face as they strive to support their families and communities.

Recognizing the importance of this dimension, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Founder and Chair of the Centre for Social Justice and a respected advocate for social justice in Ghana, joined the project and contributed valuable expertise and perspective.

The book introduces the concept of “jolts,” which are significant disruptions and challenges that affect market women and their businesses.

Through a comprehensive framework, the editors categorize and analyze the economic, environmental, health-related, social, and policy-related jolts experienced by women traders across Ghana.

The book further explores how structural inequalities and systemic barriers often intensify the effects of these disruptions.

Bringing together contributions from scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and subject-matter experts, the book provides an in-depth examination of the realities facing women traders and assesses current policies and interventions implemented by national and local government authorities.

Contributors also offer evidence-informed recommendations and practical strategies aimed at reducing the impact of these challenges and promoting greater economic opportunity and social equity.

“In addition to being among the most important contributors to Ghana’s economy, market women entrepreneurs sustain households, strengthen communities, and drive trade across the country. Yet many continue to face significant obstacles that often go unrecognized. This book seeks to amplify their experiences and encourage meaningful action,” said Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa.

“We need to empower market women traders instead of excluding and leaving them behind when discussing policies and frameworks that influence their success”, said Professor Ezenwayi Amaechi Ejiribe.

When we address issues that market women entrepreneurs face, it translates into an investment in the health, education, and the structure of the community, said Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey.

Women traders serve as vital drivers of economic activity, household stability, and community development throughout Ghana. By raising awareness of the challenges they face, documenting the social injustices embedded within those challenges, and identifying actionable solutions, the book aims to contribute to a more equitable marketplace and support broader national development efforts.

The editors hope the book will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, educators, advocates, and community leaders working to advance economic empowerment and social justice for women entrepreneurs.

About the Book

Title: African Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economy: Social Justice Implications of Market Jolts in Ghana

Editors: Professor Ezenwayi Amaechi Ejiribe, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, and Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa.

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Year: 2025

Ghana News

Mahama Approval Climbs to 71% in New Poll, Fuel Prices in Ghana Set for Sharp Drop, ECOWAS Mourns Gbeho, and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Published

9 hours ago

June 15, 2026

GNG Staff

We have carefully curated the most relevant stories from across Ghana, offering you a clear snapshot of key developments in the country wherever you may be. Happy reading!

Global InfoAnalytics Poll Gives President Mahama 71% Approval Rating

A June 2026 National Tracking Poll by Global InfoAnalytics has recorded President John Dramani Mahama’s job approval rating at 71%, up from 67% in March and the highest for any sitting president in the firm’s series since 2020. Only 23% disapprove, while 66% believe the country is on the right track. Approval is broad-based, with the highest ratings in the Savannah (86%) and Western North (82%) regions, though lower in Ahafo (40%) and Ashanti (55%).

Among NDC supporters, approval stands at 91%, compared to 37% among NPP sympathisers. The poll highlights strong public perception of improved living standards (57%) and optimism for the future (68%), though unemployment, the economy, and power outages (dumsor) remain top concerns. It sampled 8,784 voters across all regions with a ±2.5% margin of error. Read the full story here

Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Monday, June 15, 2026

Petrol Prices Set for Sharpest Drop in Months Amid Falling Global Oil Prices

Motorists can expect significant relief at the pumps starting June 16, 2026, as the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) projects sharp reductions in fuel prices during the second pricing window of June. Petrol is expected to drop by up to 9.31%, potentially selling at around GH¢14.72 per litre, while diesel and LPG will also see declines.

The reductions are driven by a roughly 12% fall in crude oil prices (from $110 to $97 per barrel) and substantial drops in refined product prices internationally. The National Petroleum Authority has lowered price floors accordingly. A slight cedi depreciation moderated the full extent of the relief. Read the full story here

Ghana Builds Its First Cinema Dedicated Entirely to African and Diasporic Films: The Falcon Rises in Berekuso

ECOWAS Mourns Former Commission President James Victor Gbeho

The ECOWAS Commission has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, a distinguished Ghanaian diplomat who served as President of the ECOWAS Commission from 2010 to 2012. Gbeho played a pivotal role in strengthening regional integration and institutional reforms during a critical period.

His earlier contributions included serving as ECOWAS Special Representative for Liberia in 1995 and holding key positions such as Ghana’s Ambassador to the UN, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and UN Special Representative for Somalia. ECOWAS praised his commitment to peacebuilding and diplomacy, extending condolences to his family, the Government of Ghana, and the wider West African community. Read the full story here

Presidency Cuts Political Appointees by 124 but Compensation Bill Jumps 148%

President Mahama’s administration reduced political appointees at the Jubilee House to 233 in 2025, down 124 from 357 recorded under the previous administration in 2023. However, the Office of the President’s compensation bill is projected to surge from GH¢100 million in 2025 to GH¢248 million in 2026 — a 148% increase — raising questions about staffing costs and classifications.

Total staff numbers also fell, but concerns remain over reclassification of some advisory roles and possible effects of revised Article 71 salaries. The report highlights ongoing debates about the true cost of running the Presidency despite staff reductions. Read the full story here

Mother of University Student Found Dead at Beach Invokes Curses on Perpetrators

A traditional leader from Dzodze in the Volta Region, claiming to be the aunt of the late UCC student Innocentia Avinu, has invoked ancestral curses on those responsible for the young woman’s death. Innocentia’s body was found washed ashore at Hutchland Beach Resort days after she went missing from campus.

In a viral video, the grieving relative expressed deep pain and declared that “it is not just anybody you can kill and go scot-free.” Police investigations continue, with an autopsy pending to determine the cause of death. Read the full story here

MP Urges Credit to Akufo-Addo Administration for Sedina Tamakloe Extradition Process

Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has stated that extradition processes for former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe began under the Akufo-Addo administration in 2024, not the current government. He noted that legal steps were initiated shortly after her conviction, with proceedings ongoing as she challenged them abroad before eventually returning.

Sedina arrived in Ghana this week to serve a 10-year sentence. The MP emphasised the need for accurate historical record on the timeline. Read the full story here

Food Production Under Threat as Farmers Decry Delayed Fertiliser Subsidies

Farmers across major hubs like Ejura, Nkoranza, Techiman, Goaso, and Sefwi Wiawso are raising alarms over prolonged delays in government fertiliser subsidies, warning that the shortage is already threatening this season’s yields. Many have resorted to expensive open-market alternatives or scaled down operations, exacerbating costs for seeds, labour, and transport.

Experts fear reduced harvests could drive up food prices, worsen rural poverty, and undermine national food security. Farmers are urgently calling for swift release of subsidised inputs to safeguard livelihoods and agricultural productivity. Read the full story here