The buried demand inside a viral constitutional campaign

Princy Mthombeni, co-founder and chair of the South Africans for Constitutional Reform (SACR), has led a campaign that raised over 500,000 rand in two weeks to challenge South Africa’s Constitution, despite legal experts questioning its viability. The group’s public focus on restricting foreign access to public services and altering the Constitution’s preamble to prioritize “citizens” has drawn widespread support, but internal documents reveal a secondary goal: increasing state oversight of NGOs. Mthombeni, a senior official at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), has long advocated for nuclear energy, including opposing a 2017 court ruling that blocked a Russian nuclear deal. Her campaign’s fundraising success, driven by small donations, has raised questions about the alignment of its stated objectives with its underlying agenda.

What triggered SACR’s fundraising surge?

SACR’s campaign gained momentum after a 26 May 2026 livestream by content creator Enhle Njomane, who urged viewers to donate. The campaign received 5,427 donations totaling 525,037 rand within two weeks, with 39% of donors remaining anonymous. The largest single gift was 5,000 rand, and 41 foreign-currency donations totaled 12,070 rand. The campaign’s rapid growth coincided with Mthombeni’s public emphasis on constitutional reform, though her private statements suggested a focus on energy policy and NGO regulation.

Why does SACR’s NGO oversight clause matter?

The group’s petition includes a provision calling for “oversight of NGOs and NPOs to ensure alignment with national development,” a clause absent from its public messaging. This language aligns with broader efforts to regulate civil society, including Russia’s 2022 law requiring organizations deemed “foreign-influenced” to register and report activities. While SACR’s stated aim is to address migration, its focus on NGO oversight has drawn comparisons to strategies used by governments seeking to limit dissent. Mthombeni’s ties to Rosatom, the Russian nuclear company, and her advocacy for the Zuma-era nuclear deal further complicate the narrative.

What legal challenges does SACR face?

Parliament’s Joint Constitutional Review Committee dismissed most submissions, including SACR’s, as outside its mandate. Legal opinions advised that proposals to restrict constitutional rights to citizens conflict with existing jurisprudence, requiring supermajorities SACR cannot secure. Despite this, SACR plans to sue, citing a lack of transparency. The campaign’s legal strategy remains unclear, and funds raised through Backabuddy are held in escrow until a beneficiary is named, with no guarantees on how they will be spent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money has SACR raised?

SACR raised 525,037 rand in two weeks through 5,427 donations, with 39% of donors anonymous.

What are SACR’s main proposals?

The group seeks to amend the Constitution’s preamble to prioritize “citizens,” restrict foreigners’ access to healthcare and education, and reserve mineral resources for South Africans.

What is the significance of the NGO oversight clause?

The clause, included in SACR’s petition, calls for state monitoring of NGOs to ensure alignment with national development, a provision absent from public messaging about migration.

How might SACR’s focus on energy and NGO regulation shape its future actions, and what role could external influences play in its trajectory?