March and March is facing criticism over its decision to meet with AfriForum, with the anti-illegal immigration movement saying the engagement is intended to learn from the organisation rather than signal an alliance.
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma announced that representatives of the movement would meet AfriForum on Tuesday. The announcement was made during a demonstration in Durban on Monday.
The planned engagement has sparked debate because of the different backgrounds and positions associated with the two organisations.
Ngobese-Zuma, however, says the meeting should not be interpreted as March and March aligning itself with AfriForum.
She said the movement wants to learn from AfriForum’s advocacy strategies, particularly how it builds institutions, raises funding and pursues legal action.
“We’re working with anyone who’s a South African. We work with them. AfriForum is South African. We’re not against anyone because of their race,” Ngobese-Zuma said.
She also stressed that the meeting does not mean March and March agrees with everything AfriForum stands for.
The engagement comes after March and March announced plans to establish the SA First Forum, a legal advocacy initiative intended to assist South Africans with legal matters, as well as the March and March Foundation, which it describes as a humanitarian organisation.
Ngobese-Zuma said the movement wants to learn from AfriForum’s experience in building organisations capable of taking legal action and advocating for their members.
The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of March and March’s ongoing campaign for stricter immigration controls and action against people living and working in South Africa without legal documentation. The movement says its focus is on undocumented immigration rather than people’s race or nationality.
The planned engagement has nevertheless drawn criticism from some members of the public who question whether working with AfriForum could undermine March and March’s stated positioning.
Ngobese-Zuma has maintained that the purpose of the meeting is “a learning opportunity”, rather than an indication that the two organisations are forming an alliance.
March and March describes itself as a citizen-led movement focused on immigration reform and the protection of South African citizens’ rights.
