South African activist wants citizens paid to stay home, immigrants to work

Controversial South African activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, popularly known as “Phakel’umthakathi,” has ignited widespread debate and criticism after proposing that indigenous South Africans should no longer be required to work and instead receive salaries from the government while legal immigrants take up employment across the country.

Ndabandaba made the remarks during a recent interview in which he discussed South Africa’s ongoing immigration and labour challenges.

According to the activist, South Africa should adopt an economic model similar to what he claimed exists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where foreign nationals perform much of the workforce while citizens benefit from the country’s wealth.

“We don’t even need to work. We can have these legal immigrants coming to South Africa to work for us, just like in Dubai,” Ndabandaba said during the interview.

He further argued that indigenous South Africans should be placed on the government’s payroll, insisting that the country’s natural resources and economic assets should be sufficient to sustain citizens without requiring them to participate in the labour force.

“In the United Arab Emirates, only foreigners are working. The citizens—the owners, the indigenous people of Dubai—they don’t work. We can establish that model in South Africa,” he added.

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The comments have generated strong reactions on social media and among political observers, with critics questioning the practicality and sustainability of such a proposal in South Africa’s struggling economy, which continues to grapple with high unemployment, slow economic growth and widening inequality.

Ndabandaba’s proposal also represents a significant shift from the country’s longstanding debate over immigration, which has largely centred on accusations that foreign nationals are taking jobs from South Africans. Instead, he suggested a state-supported economic system in which immigrants would form the country’s workforce while citizens receive government-backed financial support.

South Africa has in recent years witnessed recurring tensions over immigration, with some groups calling for stricter border controls and prioritisation of employment opportunities for South African citizens. The issue has also fuelled periodic anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.

Ndabandaba’s latest remarks are expected to intensify discussions on immigration, employment and economic policy, as the country continues to search for solutions to one of the highest unemployment rates in the world.

While his proposal has attracted attention for its unconventional approach, it has also drawn criticism from those who argue that sustainable economic development depends on expanding employment opportunities, increasing productivity and encouraging broader participation in the labour market rather than reducing citizens’ involvement in the workforce.