Controversial Anti-immigration activist’s, visit to eSwatini has sparked a lot of controversy online. The activist was in the kingdom of eSwatini on the last week on August to join the people of Eswatini in celebrating Umhlanga, the reed dance ceremony of the tiny kingdom.
The visit sparked a lot of online debate about whether Phakelumthakathi, and other March and March activists should be allowed to visit other African states. Many online commenters expressed gratitude over the visit and chose to see it as relationship building between the Anti-immigration activists and the leadership of the kingdom of eSwatini. One online commenter noted that the people of eSwatini were happy with the visit as long as Phakelumthakathi had entered the country legally and would be leaving in a timely manner as allowed by immigration law.
Other online users expressed strong opposition to the controversial anti-immigration activist’s visit to Eswatini, noting that March and March activists should remain isolated in South Africa and not have access to other African States like eSwatini. One user commented that the visit was made because Ngizwe Mchunu accused the charismatic leader of not being well travelled. Other users encouraged the controversial activist to visit Zimbabwe and Nigeria which are more hostile countries towards the activist based on the number of people expelled from South Africa through his efforts.
Interesting to note that when Phakelumthakathi visited the bus rank in Eswatini, crowds of people gathered around him, treating him as a celebrity of some sort. A lot of people were heard uttering his famous slogan. ‘Abahambe’. A lot of his audience, mostly men were seen gathered around him, with many asking to take pictures with the activist. This shows the differences in how real life people act as opposed to activists online.
