Lobby groups AfriForum and the March and March movement have agreed to work together on “legal matters of mutual interest” and support each other on issues concerning the rule of law and efforts to combat crime in communities, including illegal immigration.
AfriForum confirmed the meeting with March and March in a media statement issued on Tuesday.
The two organisations have different focuses, with AfriForum advocating for Afrikaner rights while March and March has campaigned against illegal immigration.
The meeting took place less than two weeks after March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma announced that the organisation would transition into an NGO modelled in part on AfriForum, including through initiatives such as building schools.
According to AfriForum, the discussions focused on ways the two organisations could work together to benefit communities and citizens at grassroots level.
The organisations discussed their shared challenges and interests, as well as potential solutions and areas of cooperation.
Potential areas of collaboration include capacity-building programmes aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions within the confines of the law.
The organisations also identified the promotion of mother-tongue education, more effective and accessible education, and peaceful coexistence as areas where they could work together.
AfriForum said the organisations had further agreed to jointly pursue legal matters of mutual interest and support one another on issues involving the rule of law and the fight against crime in communities, including illegal migration.
Ngobese-Zuma maintained the movement’s position on immigration, arguing that unsecured borders have serious consequences for South Africa’s struggling economy.
She said the growing trade in illicit goods was placing pressure on businesses and could contribute to job losses.
Ngobese-Zuma also raised concerns about crime, saying communities were continuing to suffer and that civic organisations should work together to establish systems aimed at creating safer communities.
She acknowledged that while the two organisations shared some interests, they also held different views on certain issues.
“The relationship is therefore based on mutual respect, with both parties agreeing to complement and challenge one another in pursuit of the shared objective of building a united South Africa that acknowledges diversity,” she said.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said the organisation was prepared to openly and humbly share the lessons it had learnt over the past two decades while building its membership base to about 300 000.
Kriel said AfriForum welcomed the opportunity to work with March and March as the movement sought to develop a community-focused organisation aimed at improving the lives of ordinary people at grassroots level.