PRETORIA, Gauteng — In a significant move for grassroots civic engagement in South Africa, AfriForum and March and March have officially formed a collaborative working group. The newly announced partnership, championed by AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel and March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, aims to bypass political “talk shops” and focus on practical, community-driven solutions to address lawlessness, infrastructure decay, and the shared goal of building a prosperous future for the nation’s children.
During discussions surrounding the alliance, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma described the engagements between the two organizations as highly productive. She emphasized the necessity for South Africans to work together constructively, irrespective of race or culture, to address the everyday challenges facing local communities.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel echoed this sentiment, highlighting that while the organizations may not agree on every issue, their shared commitment to the rule of law and the eradication of crime provides a strong foundation for cooperation. Kriel stressed that the collaboration is designed to move beyond mere symbolism, leveraging the established grassroots presence of both groups to deliver tangible improvements.
The partnership comes as March and March prepares to launch the “South Africa First Forum,” an initiative that also champions unity in diversity and the advancement of mother-tongue education. Kriel noted that these objectives align closely with AfriForum’s broader mission. He pointed out that while AfriForum is known for preserving Afrikaner culture, the vast majority of its practical work—such as fixing roads, maintaining public spaces, organizing neighborhood watch patrols, and holding entities like Eskom accountable in court—benefits all citizens regardless of background.
Addressing the operational scale of such civic movements, Kriel shared insights into AfriForum’s growth from a three-person staff to an organization with approximately 300,000 members, funded primarily through donations. He noted that AfriForum is willing to share its institutional knowledge and lessons learned with March and March to help them build their own organizational and financial muscle. This includes supporting broader community initiatives, such as the establishment of a new university and the preservation of African languages in secondary schools.
The alliance has not been without its detractors. Kriel directly addressed criticisms from certain commentators who have characterized AfriForum as longing for the apartheid era. Dismissing these claims, Kriel stated that research indicates only 2% of Afrikaners hold such views, and urged critics to judge the organization by its actions rather than ideological attacks. He highlighted AfriForum’s ongoing cooperative agreements and practical agricultural upliftment projects with the Barolong Seleka, AmaBhele, and Nkungumathe communities, noting that 95% of the individuals supported by these specific initiatives are Black South Africans.
Furthermore, Kriel brushed off concerns regarding March and March’s recent engagements with former President Jacob Zuma and the MK party, which some critics argue mobilizes along ethnic lines. He firmly stated that South Africans should not be worried, reiterating that the partnership is not about reverting to the National Party past or continuing under the current ANC governance. Instead, the collaboration represents a new, forward-looking path where communities take ownership of their future, starting with small, practical actions like fixing a single pothole, and scaling up to build a successful, prosperous country for all.
