At South Africa’s 46th SADC Summit in Durban, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged regional leaders to address migration challenges as anti-immigrant protests demanded stricter deportation measures, with SADC leaders expressing regret over the crisis.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa faced intense pressure at the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Durban, where regional leaders expressed regret at what has befallen us as a country
over the treatment of foreign nationals amid escalating anti-immigration tensions. The summit, held in August 2026, coincided with protests by the March and March movement, which demanded a new deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country by 30 September.
SADC Leaders Express Regret Over Migration Crisis
Ramaphosa acknowledged the complexity of the migration challenge
during the summit, emphasizing that South Africa had taken the opportunity to brief fellow member states honestly and openly
about the crisis. SADC leaders, including heads of state from 16 regional nations, expressed solidarity with South Africa, citing the need for unity of purpose and unity of implementation
to address the issue. The president highlighted that the bloc had expressed regret at what has befallen us as a country,
a rare acknowledgment of regional responsibility for migration pressures.
The discussions came amid reports that over 176,000 African migrants had left South Africa since April, either through deportation or self-deportation, following anti-immigration campaigns and workplace raids. Ramaphosa noted that we also express regret at what has befallen us as a country,
framing the crisis as a shared regional challenge requiring collective action. The SADC communique later called for coordinated and multidimensional dialogue
to tackle the underlying drivers of migration,
signaling a shift from viewing the issue solely as a border-control problem.
March and March Protests Demand Deportation Deadline
The March and March movement, which has led anti-immigration protests since April, intensified its demands during the summit. The group announced a second wave of the 30 June National Day of Action,
calling on SADC leaders to prepare for massive deportation of all illegal foreigners for South Africa by 30 September.
Protesters outside the summit venue chanted, It’s time to fetch your people,
urging regional governments to repatriate undocumented citizens.
March and March’s demands followed a wave of violence against foreign nationals. Ramaphosa apologized for the treatment of foreigners, stating, We no fit preach integration for summit like dis and practice exclusion for di streets of our kontris.
Regional Cooperation and Policy Shifts
This protocol provides for visa-free visits of up to 90 days once it enters into force.
Challenges and Next Steps
Despite the summit’s emphasis on unity, tensions remain. The government had to spend about R600 million ($35m) for security operations for the nationwide 30 June protests, while anti-immigrant groups accuse the government of inaction. Meanwhile, regional leaders face pressure to balance migration control with economic cooperation, as countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia and others have repatriated hundreds and thousands of their citizens from the rainbow kontri since April.
Ramaphosa’s assumption of the SADC chairpersonship for 2026/27 at the summit positions him to drive the bloc’s agenda, but the effectiveness of his vision will depend on member states’ willingness to act. The coming months will test whether SADC’s rhetoric on unity translates into tangible solutions for migration and development.
