Lobby group AfriForum and civic organisation March and March have formed a “strategic alliance” as they aim to address government failure and uplift South African communities at the grassroots level.

The meeting, held between March and March founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel, established a framework for cooperation on critical national issues, including community safety, education, border control, and economic accountability.

Despite representing different cultural frameworks, both organisations pledged to “look past institutional differences”.

The leadership delegations identified several mutual priority areas where joint initiatives or shared expertise can bypass State inefficiencies, highlighting the designing of lawful, community-led systems to fight local crime and curb the illicit goods trade.

Both organisations are jointly advocating for secure borders to protect the domestic economy and prevent regional instability, support mother-tongue education and sustainable alternative educational frameworks.

The organisations also pledged the spearheading of agricultural initiatives, skills training, and heritage preservation, and collaboration on strategic legal matters to enforce the rule of law and challenge State corruption.

For March and March, the foundation of this relationship rests on universal human rights, constitutional accountability, and the spirit of ubuntu, Ngobese-Zuma said.

She emphasised that “State ineptitude” requires urgent collaboration from civil movements that are “entirely unaligned with narrow political parties”.

She noted that while both entities will naturally disagree on certain topics, the partnership is rooted in deep mutual respect and a shared commitment to national success.

AfriForum's leadership echoed this sentiment, offering to share organisational insights gained over the last 20 years while growing their membership to 300 000.

Kriel noted that citizens must use "the hands at the end of our arms" to proactively build the future rather than simply protesting State failures.

Both organisations attributed what it believes is a socioeconomic decline to poor national policies and ideological stagnation within the ANC-led government.

According to AfriForum head of intercultural relations and cooperation Barend Uys, establishing grassroots networks with diverse cultural groups is essential for long-term peaceful coexistence.

March and March joins a growing list of traditional and civic allies partnering with AfriForum, including the Royal Leaders of South Africa, AmaBhele KaJamangile, Barolong Boo Seleka, Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi, Batlokoa Ba Mota, Batlharo Ba Ga Motlware and Vulamehlo Kusile Organisation.

Both organisations concluded the engagement by explicitly affirming that all joint efforts will be conducted peacefully, strictly within the framework of the law, and with a complete rejection of violence or intimidation.