According to reports on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, former Ukhozi FM presenter and political activist Ngizwe Mchunu led a march through Hillbrow and Yeoville in Johannesburg, Gauteng, sending a strong message about foreign nationals in the area.
“We are going back to the legislature, but we want to demonstrate that Hillbrow and Yeoville cannot be owned by foreign nationals,” Mchunu told supporters. He was quick to add: “Peacefully we are here.”
The march comes amid ongoing tensions in the inner city, where many South Africans feel pushed out by the large number of foreign shopkeepers and residents. Hillbrow and Yeoville have long been melting pots, but frustration over crime, overcrowding, and economic pressure has been building for years.
Mchunu, known for his outspoken views and dramatic public appearances, has positioned himself as a voice for ordinary South Africans who feel ignored by government. His call for peaceful protest was a notable shift from some of his previous rhetoric, though the underlying message remained firm.
WATCH | Ngizwe Mchunu says, “We are going back to the legislature, but we want to demonstrate that Hillbrow and Yeoville cannot be owned by foreign nationals,” adding: “Peacefully we are here.” pic.twitter.com/zCDheBhzIC
— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 29, 2026
Residents in the area watched closely as the march moved through familiar streets. Some cheered from balconies, while others looked on with concern, aware of how quickly such gatherings can turn volatile in Johannesburg.
The demonstration is expected to add pressure on provincial and national leaders to address immigration and urban renewal in Gauteng. For now, the streets of Hillbrow and Yeoville remain tense but quiet, as both locals and foreign nationals wait to see what happens next.
