Afriforum and March and March movement forms collaborative working group
By Afriforum and March and March movement
The organisation of communities, capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving their socio-economic conditions within the framework of the law, the promotion of mother-language education and efficient, accessible education, as well as the advancement of peaceful coexistence, were identified as potential areas of collaboration.
Furthermore, the organisations agreed to jointly pursue legal matters of mutual interest and to support one another on issues relating to the rule of law and the fight against crime in communities, inclusive of illegal migration.
According to Ngobese-Zuma the importance of creating a united South Africa founded on values of ubuntu, respect for cultural and religious beliefs of communities and the rule of law is sacrosanct, and the founding values of March and March are universal human rights for all South African citizens, where education is a corner stone for the success of the nation.
The Movement believes that systems must be created to ensure that communities cooperate to hold the government accountable and ensure that the rule of law is upheld by everyone.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, founder of the March and March Movement “The Movement believes that unsecured borders have serious consequences for the ailing economy.
The skyrocketing trade in illicit goods are affecting businesses and may result in job losses.
Crime continues to ravage communities, and civic movements should work together to put systems in place to ensure the creation of safer communities.
The Movement believes that corruption and inaptitude by some, if not many, in government requires urgent attention and collaboration by various community-based organisations, that are not driven by narrow political interests, is pivotal for the eradication of lawlessness.”
“The Movement believes that a healthy relationship between the two entities takes into account that, while they share many issues of common interest, there are also matters on which they will disagree.
The relationship is therefore based on mutual respect, with both parties agreeing to complement and challenge one another in pursuit of the shared objective of building a united South Africa that acknowledges diversity,” says Ngobese-Zuma.
Kriel emphasises that AfriForum already collaborates with a range of organisations and communities that share its commitment to building a better future for the people of the country.
“One can choose to cooperate where we agree and where we share common interests. We cannot allow differences on specific matters to stand in the way of cooperation that would benefit our children.
There are times when it is necessary to protest against the government’s failures, but it is even more important to use the hands at the end of our arms to build the future we want.
AfriForum is willing to share, humbly and openly, what has worked and what has not worked for us during the past 20 years as we built this organisation from the ground up to a membership of 300 000.
We look forward to working with March and March in their effort to establish a community-focused organisation that can improve the lives of ordinary people at grassroots level,” says Kriel.
During the meeting, various challenges arising from government failure were addressed, including the effective collapse of border control and inadequate crime prevention, which leaves communities under constant threat of crime.
The public education system’s failure was another important topic of discussion.
Possible solutions that communities can develop and implement themselves, as well as opportunities for cooperation, were also discussed.
These included ways of organising communities and identifying lawful measures to improve community safety.
Agricultural development, preservation of identity and heritage, education, training and skills development were also discussed as areas in which communities can play a constructive role.
According to Barend Uys, AfriForum’s Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation, AfriForum builds good relations and cooperates with organisations and cultural communities based on mutual recognition and respect.
“We do this work because we believe this is essential to ensuring the prosperous, peaceful coexistence of all communities in the country.
Our work is focused on grassroots level, and we are therefore deeply attuned to the challenges facing ordinary people, as well as traditional leaders and their communities.
Every community, organisation and leader that chooses to take responsibility for its own future and contribute to building a better future for our children, based on sound traditional values such as healthy families, responsibility, compassion and respect and a shared vision, is an important ally to us.
That is why AfriForum has already entered into collaboration agreements and is working with, among others, the AmaBhele KaJamangile, Barolong Boo Seleka, Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi, Batlokoa Ba Mota, Batlharo Ba Ga Motlhware, Vulamehlo Kusile Organisation and the Royal Leaders of South Africa (ROLESA),” explains Uys.
“Poor government policies and obsolete ideologies are at the root of many of the challenges facing communities across the SADC region.
The ANC-led government does nothing to encourage countries in the region to adopt policies that would improve conditions in their own countries and curb the unlawful influx into South Africa.
In fact, in some respects the ANC pursues similarly destructive policies, which contribute to the very problems we face here at home.
It is clear that the ANC and the government it leads do not put the interests of citizens first, but rather their own interests and those of their longstanding political and ideological allies.
Those who want to see a beautiful future for southern Africa will have to hold governments accountable while also taking responsibility for building that future themselves,” Kriel concludes.
AfriForum and March and March confirm that the interests of communities and citizens must always be pursued peacefully and within the framework of the law, and that violence and intimidation have no place in these efforts.
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