Ayanda Kota

1976 d. 2024) was an activist who was the founded the Unemployed Peoples' Movement in Grahamstown, South Africa in 2009 and became its first chairperson.

[4] His political roots were in the black consciousness movement[5] and he was strongly critical of the ruling African National Congress.

[9] On 12 January 2012 he was arrested on a charge of theft after failing to return two books that he had borrowed from a local academic.

[20] In October 2016 the Minister of Police admitted that the assault had taken place and agreed to pay Kota R 120 000 in compensation.

Kota played a key role in grassroots work to oppose xenophobia.