March and March and AfriForum have opened the door to cooperation despite significant ideological differences between the two organisations.

March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said the groups discussed border control, crime prevention and failures in public education. She said civic organisations should work together where they share common goals while remaining free to disagree on other issues.

The meeting follows March and March’s earlier announcement that it wants to develop an advocacy model similar to AfriForum while remaining outside party politics.

AfriForum offers to share experience

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said political or ideological differences should not prevent cooperation on issues where organisations find common ground.

He said AfriForum was prepared to share lessons from its roughly two decades of building a community-focused organisation with about 300,000 members.

Ngobese-Zuma said the relationship would be based on mutual respect, with both sides able to challenge each other while pursuing shared objectives.

Analysts question political motives

The meeting has nevertheless attracted criticism from political analysts.

University of Limpopo political analyst Professor Metji Makgoba described the engagement as “bizarre” and questioned the ideological compatibility between the organisations. He suggested March and March could risk being used for political purposes. These comments represent Makgoba’s analysis and not established findings about either organisation.

Central University of Technology analyst Dr Bernard Sebake suggested their cooperation could also reflect opposition to the ANC-led government and concerns about its handling of undocumented migration.

Other analysts defend engagement

Professor Sipho Seepe offered a different view, arguing there was nothing inherently wrong with organisations that disagree politically working together.

He said South Africa’s democratic environment should distinguish between political opponents and enemies, allowing groups to cooperate where their interests align.

March and March has repeatedly said it does not intend to become a political party, instead positioning itself as an independent civic movement.

The new relationship will now face scrutiny over whether cooperation remains focused on community advocacy or develops into a broader political alignment.