I covered the marches on Monday and Tuesday. This is the story of those days.
A thin haze of smoke rises against a blue winter sky. Men are standing around a fire made of eucalyptus logs, trying to warm themselves in the cold winter morning. Women and children are mostly sitting on their bundles of clothes and possessions, wrapped in blankets.
We are outside the Malawian consulate in Sandton on 29 June – the last day before the deadline set by groups such as March and March for undocumented immigrants to leave.
There are some 500 people here, gathered in desperation, terrified of what might happen to them, and, above all, to their children if they don’t go back to Malawi. Buses are being organized for them, but many of the people have been sleeping rough in the freezing Highveld winter for days, waiting for the buses that still haven’t arrived.
hamilton wende
For leaders seeking a powerhouse speaker on high-stakes leadership, Hamilton Wende delivers unforgettable insights on navigating uncertainty and leading teams through crisis.
Based in Johannesburg, this veteran international journalist has spent forty years reporting from the front lines of 17 global conflicts for networks like CNN, the BBC, and National Geographic.
Hamilton translates his unparalleled battlefield experiences into actionable leadership strategies for the corporate world. A multi-year National Press Club Journalist of the Year and Gold Telly Award winner, he is a trusted advisor to multinational corporations, including Nedbank, Bosch, and Transnet, helping executives master crisis communication, narrative branding, and strategic resilience.
A prolific author of nine books and a top-tier keynote speaker, Hamilton blends gripping frontline storytelling with practical business wisdom, showing leaders exactly how to maintain focus, build trust, and drive results when under pressure.
