by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – A STORM of criticism has erupted after the Edgar Legoale Foundation offered a bursary to Zandile Dabula, a leader of Operation Dudula, a controversial South African vigilante group widely condemned for promoting xenophobia and inciting violence against foreign nationals.
The foundation extended the bursary as what it termed a “gesture of empowerment” after Dabula was publicly embarrassed on national television for failing to respond to a basic question about the history of the Frontline States — a bloc of Southern African countries that supported liberation struggles, including South Africa’s fight against apartheid.
“In the spirit of uplifting leadership capacity, we offer Ms Dabula a bursary to study at any accredited institution of her choice,” the Foundation stated in a press release. “We believe education is the key to empowerment, leadership growth, and social progress.”
However, the gesture has been met with widespread backlash across South Africa and the broader continent. Critics argue that rewarding a figure associated with xenophobic rhetoric and harmful grassroots mobilization sends a dangerous message.
Operation Dudula rose to prominence in 2022 under the banner of protecting South African jobs and public services.
However, the movement quickly devolved into xenophobic vigilante action, staging unlawful raids on foreign-owned shops, intimidating migrant workers, and even obstructing access to public services such as healthcare and education for undocumented immigrants.
Several reports linked the group’s actions to violence and the deaths of innocent people, including children.
Apostle DezA Mekgwe questioned the logic of the bursary: “How does a foundation support someone who has publicly denied toddlers access to healthcare and children the right to education simply because of their nationality? What kind of leadership does that promote?”
Others took a more optimistic view, suggesting that education might transform Dabula’s outlook.
“I support the initiative,” said Lifa Sibiya. “Maybe after her studies (Ms Dabula), she’ll realise that immigrants are not the primary cause of our country’s problems. Education could help her see that structural inequality and corruption are the real culprits.”
Still, many remain unconvinced.
“Giving a scholarship to someone who has marginalised foreigners and incited public unrest is tone-deaf,” said Frans Mphahlele Sekonya. “How will she cope in a diverse academic environment where foreign students are her peers?”
Yet some voices, like Zikodeka Gasa, saw the bursary as a potential turning point: “This is genius. Education can reshape mindsets. Perhaps school will turn her into an advocate for pan-African unity.”
Operation Dudula has long been denounced by human rights groups, legal bodies, and civil society for operating outside the law and fueling anti-African sentiment.
Critics argue that movements like Dudula undermine South Africa’s constitutional values and tarnish its legacy of solidarity with the continent.
As the debate rages, the Edgar Legoale Foundation has not rescinded its offer but urged Dabula to contact its programme manager to take up the opportunity.
Whether this bursary becomes a path to redemption or further polarisation remains to be seen.
– CAJ News