South Africa: March and March and Afriforum Team Up Sparks Outrage

The leader of South Africa's March and March organization, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, defended her decision to collaborate with AfriForum, despite the backlash it sparked on social media. Ngobese-Zuma met with AfriForum's chief executive, Kallie Kriel, and his team to form a joint working group on community safety, education, crime, border control, and illegal immigration. They also agreed to tackle legal issues of mutual interest.

Ngobese-Zuma defended the collaboration, stating that organizations have the right to work with anyone willing to improve the lives of South Africans, regardless of their race, color, or political views. She emphasized that AfriForum's work in communities had been commendable and that they wanted AfriForum to join forces with their organization. However, she also made it clear that differences in opinion would not stop their collaboration.

The partnership has received mixed reactions, with some accusing Ngobese-Zuma of working with the "enemy" and betraying the interests of black South Africans. AfriForum praised the meeting, stating that they were open to sharing their experiences and learning from each other. AfriForum's Kriel emphasized that differences in opinion should not hinder cooperation that benefits children and communities.

The meeting follows another high-profile engagement between AfriForum and a black-led political movement, where Kriel met with MK Party leader Jacob Zuma earlier in the year. AllAfrica, a news agency, reports that this is the second such engagement AfriForum has had with a black-led political movement in 2026.