FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Johannesburg, Gauteng – Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX), a broad coalition of South African and migrant-led organisations, will lead a March for Dignity on the 18th of April 2026, starting at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown and concluding at Constitutional Hill. This march is a collective stand against xenophobia, corruption, and the systemic scapegoating of migrants, calling for a society rooted in equality, justice, and human dignity.South Africa is facing deep social, ecological, and economic crises. Instead of addressing the root causes of unemployment and failing public services, political leaders and state institutions continue to shift blame onto migrants, fueling division and violence within the working class. KAAX rejects this narrative, asserting that the real crisis lies in systemic corruption, failing governance, and an inhumane capitalist system that prioritises profit over people.
Why We March
We march to challenge the force of common prejudice against the black poor and working class, manifested in:
Institutionalised Exploitation: Violent policing and SAPS “shake-downs” for bribes in the Johannesburg CBD.
Administrative Failure: The DHA’s corrupt and dysfunctional documentation system and the inhumane treatment of immigrants.
Political Weaponisation: Political parties and government officials who opportunistically blame “foreigners” for delivery failures, especially as we approach the 2026 local government elections.
Vigilante Brutality: The thuggish violence and disinformation spread by self-styled “patriots” and sensationalist media narratives.
Capitalist Greed: A system where “illegal” status is used by bosses to ensure cheaper, docile labour while billions are hoarded by elites.
Our Demands for Real Solutions
Blaming migrants is not a solution to poverty or inequality. KAAX calls for unity across borders and demands structural changes to provide a social safety net for the most vulnerable:
- The implementation of a wealth tax on the rich.
- A universal income grant to provide agency and dignity to all.
- Guaranteed access to basic needs for all, not just the privileged minority, including: clean water, reliable energy, quality healthcare, education, and affordable public transport.
A Call to Solidarity
As we mark Freedom Month, we mobilize to hold the state to account. We refuse a society of hatred and “othering”. This march is a declaration that no one is illegal and that our future is bound together as one human race. We call on all workers and community members to join us in building a world where solidarity is embraced as a strength and real democracy is in the hands of the majority.
Event Details:
Date: 18 April 2026
Time: 09:00 – 13:00
Starting Point: Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown (Joburg CBD)
Route: Marching through the CBD to Constitutional Hill
#SAYNOTOXENOPHOBIA
Contact for Media Inquiries
Mike Ndlovu
media@kaax.org.za
+27 68 552 2510
