AfriForum, a lobby group focused on Afrikaner rights, and the March and March movement, known primarily for its anti-immigration stance, have agreed to explore joint efforts on issues including the rule of law and illegal immigration. The engagement, confirmed by AfriForum in a media release on Tuesday, was described as an attempt to deliver benefits at the grassroots level for communities and citizens.
A 'Controversial' Alliance?
While the meeting and agreement were reported by Yen News and covered by News24, the partnership has been described by some as a controversial alliance of the two groups' hardline stances, particularly on immigration. The term 'controversial' appears in reporting on the deal, though neither AfriForum nor March and March has publicly addressed any surrounding controversy. The groups' different bases—one a rights group, the other anti-immigration— have reportedly found sufficient common ground to formalize a working relationship.
According to the AfriForum statement, the two organizations agreed to jointly pursue legal matters of mutual interest and support one another on issues related to the rule of law and the fight against crime in communities, including illegal migration. Areas of potential collaboration include capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions within the law, the promotion of mother-language education, and efforts to foster 'peaceful coexistence' between communities.
Ngobese-Zuma's Remarks Another Dimension
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma linked unsecured borders to economic strain and rising crime in her response to the alliance. Her comments highlighted the influence of border control on the economy and public safety, aligning with her background and the movement's focus on anti-immigration concerns.
The meeting took place less than two weeks after Ngobese-Zuma announced that March and March would transform into a non-governmental organization. This move may signal a diversification of its activities beyond its initial focus, but the exact rationale was not featured in the available reporting.
A Grim Backdrop
The partnership proceeds amid a notable incident: Mthobisi Gasa, a key member of March and March, was killed on July 2, 2026, in Durban. The death, which occurred just weeks before the announced NGO transformation and subsequent meeting, has not been publicly connected to the agreement or the meeting, but it adds context to the movement's recent activities.
The two organizations offered no further details on the meeting or the timeline for implementing the agreed areas of collaboration. As with many such engagements, the allowed framework remains vague, focused on shared challenges and potential solutions without a concrete schedule or public commitments.