Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

15 October 2026

2-minute read

The upcoming local government elections have turned the topic of immigration into a powerful political flashpoint.

In KZN, March and March has attracted support from political parties like ActionSA, PA, the IFP and specifically MK Party, raising questions about whether public frustration is being channelled into electoral support or anti-migrant sentiment.

Political analyst Dr Dale McKinley says that anti-migrant mobilization is without doubt “politically weaponised.” Since March and March became prominent last year, it was clear that they were backed by political parties, particularly MK, who is a “dominant force” and appears to be “a close-knit ally” supporting the movement. This is a type of “populous politics that seems to gain its support” ahead of the elections, he mentions.

In addition, “it’s a bit of a family affair.” Dr McKinley notes that the leader of March and March Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma’s husband is the main lobbyer for the MK Party. In a larger context, issues revolve around MK’s own political prospects, Zuma’s health situation now that he is in hospital and their modus operandi of fearmongering among their followers.

The party is tapping into the anger, fears and frustrations of the people around the issues of lack of jobs and service delivery. Many people do vote for political parties who promise to deal with these issues on the basis that if foreigners are removed, it will resolve all such problems which they think are related to the problem of immigrants. The dominant political force behind it has sought to control KZN through “ethnic politics,” Dr McKinley states. In urban areas like Gauteng, there are some who support parties like ActionSA and the PA particularly because they support this type of agenda. So, while this support may not “change the nature of elections,” it does have an impact on it.

In the larger political tableau, people do become emotional particularly when thinking back to what happened with Zuma and MK – “it’s about factionalism in the ANC playing itself out.” In terms of the public, Dr McKinley says that we should continue to mitigate this by pointing out and countering misinformation.

In concluding, Dr McKinley states that anti-migrant, anti-immigrant politics occur when people’s “socio-economic situation is very desperate;” a global phenomenon that has been effectively weaponised and does not only play out in South Africa.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Dr Dale McKinley here.