Anti-illegal immigration activist Nkosikhona “Phakel’umthakathi” Ndabandaba has launched a fresh campaign to drive President Cyril Ramaphosa out of the Union Buildings.
His message is blunt. Ramaphosa has failed, he has ignored the people, and he must go.
Ndabandaba told Africa Daily that the buck stops with the President.
“We have made our demands clear, but he is not listening to us. Now it is time for him to pack up and go. The issue of illegal foreigners is very old, and we have been vocal about it. He chose not to listen to us. Now we want him out of office,” he said.
He said he was not afraid of what Ramaphosa’s exit could bring.
“If it means early elections, so be it. But Ramaphosa and all the officials and politicians who have failed in their duty must be out of office. We, the people of South Africa, have raised our voices, but we are not being listened to. We are being ignored. Now we are exercising our constitutional right to be heard. We are raising our voices, and the President and his Cabinet will listen to us,” he said.
The call is a dramatic turn. Just over three months ago, Ndabandaba sat across the table from Ramaphosa.
The Presidency confirmed that the meeting took place on 29 June 2026, the eve of the nationwide marches.
After that meeting, Ndabandaba said Ramaphosa had asked for his opinion.
Now he wants him gone.
Ndabandaba said the campaign would move to communities from 20 October.
“From 20 October we will be consulting with the districts in all municipalities. On 20 October we shall be consulting with eThekwini Municipality on a number of issues, including the issue of illegal foreigners,” he said.
He was tight-lipped on details. But he said the campaign would not disrupt the 4 November local government elections.
“We are not going to interrupt the local government elections, because we understand their importance. But after 4 November, we are going to intensify the call. That is why we are saying he had better resign now,” he said.
He also claimed Ramaphosa had wanted to leave before.
“We know he also wants to resign. Gwede Mantashe has publicly said so, but he was stopped by his comrades. Now we are giving him an opportunity to step down,” he said.
The public record tells a different story about Mantashe’s role.
In December 2022, after the Phala Phala panel report, a Ramaphosa insider said Mantashe argued that the President could not address the nation before consulting the ANC NEC.
At the time, Mantashe publicly said it would be premature for Ramaphosa to step down without due process. In May this year, Mantashe said Ramaphosa would not resign despite mounting pressure after the Constitutional Court revived impeachment proceedings linked to Phala Phala.
Ndabandaba’s call struck a nerve online. His post drew more than 6,400 reactions and 117 shares within hours.
Several supporters posted images of the South African flag emblazoned with the words “Ramaphosa Must Fall”.
“He must leave without being begged,” wrote Mxoliseni Vilakazi.
Khumalo Mashobane wrote: “How was it in Zuma’s time, when people said Zuma must fall? Let it be the same for Ramaphosa. Let it be said Ramaphosa must fall.”
Musa Nana Siba Dlamini asked: “But really, how did you all manage to sit and discuss relevant issues with a person we South Africans don’t want?”
Ndabandaba leads Insizwa Nobunsizwa. His latest broadside comes as anti-illegal immigration protests escalate in Durban.
On 7 October, anti-illegal immigration groups chased away foreign nationals queuing at the Home Affairs Durban refugee reception centre.
Ndabandaba said they were there to peacefully demonstrate against the Constitutional Court ruling. Two days later, three houses were torched and several shops were looted across the Durban CBD.
Ramaphosa is also under pressure in Parliament. In May, the Constitutional Court ruling reopened the section 89 impeachment process against him over Phala Phala. Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing.
