South African anti immigration activist Jacinta Zinhle MaNgobese Zuma has responded to criticism and opposition directed at the country’s national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The reaction follows calls by some Africans on social media to support Mexico against South Africa in the tournament’s opening match on Thursday, 11 June. The opposition comes amid renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks on African migrants in South Africa and recent anti immigration protests that have sparked criticism across the continent.
Reports of hostility towards foreign nationals have led some countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, to undertake evacuation exercises for their citizens.
MaNgobese Zuma, who leads the anti immigration protest group March and March, defended South Africa’s position on illegal immigration. She questioned why people are angry at a country because their citizens came in illegally and started breaking that country’s laws.
She said South Africa qualified for the World Cup alone without their support and that whether the team wins or loses, South Africans will remain people who love their country. She added that illegal immigrants will still leave the country whether critics hate South Africa or not.