MBABANE – Nkosikhona Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba says, across Africa, he and his team hate nobody.
He emphasised that people must respect the rules and laws of the countries they visit.
Ndabandaba attended this year’s main day Umhlanga Dance at Ludzidzini Royal Residence on Monday.
On his Facebook page, he posted about visiting the Mbabane Bus Rank and Manzini city. The pictures he posted showed him engaging with some public transport operators and commuters. He was also captured at the Mbabane Bus Rank supporting a local vendor.
Ndabandaba is a prominent South African cultural activist, and high-profile figure associated with civic anti-illegal immigration campaigns, such as the ‘March and March Until We Win’ Movement.
Operating heavily within public spaces, townships and business districts in South Africa, the movement organised public demonstrations and marches in major cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.
The operations led or backed by activists like Ndabandaba typically focus on demanding that undocumented foreign nationals regularise their documents or leave the country, enforcing local bylaws and inspecting compliance with South African labour and immigration laws.
While supporters view these actions as lawful enforcement of national sovereignty and border control, critics, human rights groups and affected communities frequently raise serious concerns regarding xenophobia, vigilantism and heightened social tensions.
In an interview with this publication yesterday, Ndabandaba said that he and his team are very happy to be in Eswatini, which noted has very humble people.
[Caption: Nkosikhona Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba during an interview with this publication yesterday. (Pic: Mnelisi Dlamini)]
He mentioned that as they are in Eswatini, they entered the country legally.
“We have our passports, and we respect Eswatini. That is why we entered through the legal way,” he said.
He said he was in the country to attend the Umhlanga Dance, which is a significant ceremony.
“We thank His Majesty for upholding such a national ceremony which assists the girl child,” he said.
He also stated that what they have noted the most in Eswatini is the loving, respectful and humble people. He mentioned that even he is well known as someone who is respectful.
“I am also known as a straight talker, and I also love people,” he said.
When asked by the publication what his motive was since he was seen visiting different towns in the country such as Mbabane and Manzini, he responded that when one visits a country, it is good to tour its different places.
“I have seen the beauty of these towns and the people, and these towns are very clean,” he said.
He further stated that he noted the country has ample arable land for farming and urged emaSwati to be very active in practising agriculture to avoid buying everything in shops.
“Let emaSwati practice agriculture and rear animals,” he said.
He also mentioned that Eswatini and KwaZulu have a close relationship, especially through two kings of Eswatini and KwaZulu, and emaSwati could also seek assistance from the Zulus on how to practice agriculture to feed themselves and boost the economy.
He refuted claims that emaSwati were among foreigners who were chased away in South Africa.
He mentioned that there are no videos where they ordered emaSwati to leave South Africa.
He said that is why all the work he does is recorded in videos to serve as evidence.
“In the whole of Africa, there is no person that we hate, but what we are saying is that people must respect the country, and respect the rules and laws of the country that they are visiting,” he said.
He made an example of himself, stating that he entered the country with all required documents such as a passport and ID, which is a sign that he and his team respect Eswatini.
“All we are saying is that anyone who is illegal in our country must go to his or her own country to fix their documents and then come to our country legally. I also personally respected Eswatini; I used my passport for my entry,” he said.
However, he stated that some people end up having their own agendas, and he could do nothing about that.
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