Operation Dudula said it plans to do a lawful protest outside the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on 22 November 2025. The group argues President Cyril Ramaphosa should focus on protecting South Africans and creating jobs for them before international matters. Zandile Dabula, the party leader, said they got the go ahead to protest and that they will do so peacefully within the law.
Dabula said the movement is also a political party and community group. She denied claims they planned to block gates or stop the G20. She said,
“We are a fully-fledged political party and a registered civic organization. The second thing is that we never said we were going to totally shut down and block every entrance. We will do exactly what we would normally do—operate within the confines of the law. That’s why we submitted our application for the protest.”
WATCH | Operation Dudula threatens protests at the G20 Summit. Spokesperson Zandile Dabula says they do not want to disrupt the event but feel the president is not prioritising citizens. pic.twitter.com/lFRLoKhYKC
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 16, 2025
She added the protest is to show how many South Africans are jobless and how people’s safety is going down.
She said many people still live with no jobs or proper services and people say South Africa has lost its respect, that it has become a sad place for its own people. Dabula said the President’s priorities are wrong. South Africans are still hurting while the country prepares to host world leaders. The government has failed to make citizens feel safe or cared for, she claimed, adding that the President has not looked after his own people.
Dabula said the decision to let over 150 Palestinians into South Africa shows the government is not putting South Africans first. She said, “That’s why our president is hosting the G20—and he hasn’t even finished addressing the needs of his own people yet. His citizens are suffering every day. Families go home empty-handed, they’re hungry on a daily basis, and that simply cannot be correct.”
Purpose of the Protest
Dabula said the purpose of the protest is not to stop the G20 but to show that the movement believes the leadership has failed them. She said, “Yes, definitely—but we don’t want to disrupt the event itself. It’s the same reason I’m emphasizing that we do understand the importance of international recognition. But we have serious problems at home that need attention first.” She said South Africans have been ignored by Ramaphosa’s government.
The group claims the government has not made citizens feel safe or like it cares for them, and that the President has not done what his own people need. Dabula said, “He is not taking care of us. Under his leadership, we’re supposed to be his priority as citizens, but he’s doing the opposite.” She linked this to recent news that over 150 Palestinians have been allowed into South Africa.
Immigration Concerns
Dabula asked if the Palestinians arriving recently did so following correct procedures for seeking asylum. She said Operation Dudula supports the rule of law but insists on lawful immigration. She stated, “Remember that we are governed by the Constitution in this country, and we have immigration laws. But anyone who needs to seek asylum in this country must go to the nearest safe country. South Africa is not the nearest country to Palestine. If you decide to come here instead of other countries, that’s not necessarily the right process under our laws.”
She said anyone arriving should follow the immigration laws here.She maintained that Operation Dudula is still trying to bring order and stability and to give South Africans opportunities. Dabula said they will keep fighting for communities in South Africa that lack jobs, services, or safety.
She said the protest outside the G20 will be peaceful but strong in making sure South Africans are not ignored. The group sees the summit as a chance to focus national attention on the issues facing South Africans directly from their own government.
