Civil rights organisation AfriForum and the March and March Movement have discussed possible areas of cooperation to address challenges facing communities and citizens at the grassroots level.

The organisations met on Tuesday during a visit by a March and March delegation, led by its founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, to AfriForum. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel and other representatives also attended the meeting.

It comes after Ngobese-Zuma recently expressed an interest in meeting AfriForum.

The discussions included community organisation, capacity building, education, crime prevention, agricultural development, skills training and the preservation of identity and heritage.

The organisations also identified possible cooperation on legal matters of mutual interest, the rule of law and efforts to combat crime, including concerns around illegal migration.

Ngobese-Zuma said March and March supports a united South Africa founded on ubuntu, respect for cultural and religious beliefs, human rights and the rule of law.

She said education should be a cornerstone of the country’s future, while communities should be empowered to work together to hold government accountable.

“The Movement believes that unsecured borders have serious consequences for the ailing economy,” Ngobese-Zuma said, adding that illicit trade, crime and government corruption require urgent attention.

She stressed that the relationship between the two organisations would be based on mutual respect, acknowledging that they may disagree on certain issues while working together where their interests overlap.

Kriel said AfriForum was willing to share its experience of building a grassroots organisation with March and March.

“One can choose to cooperate where we agree and where we share common interests,” Kriel said.

He said differences should not prevent organisations from working together on issues that could benefit communities and future generations.

The meeting also focused on what the organisations described as government failures, including inadequate border control, crime prevention and problems within the public education system.

AfriForum’s Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation, Barend Uys, said the organisation works with communities and cultural groups based on mutual recognition and respect.

He said grassroots organisations that take responsibility for their own future and contribute to safer and more prosperous communities are important partners.

AfriForum and March and March said any joint efforts would be pursued peacefully and within the law, stressing that violence and intimidation have no place in their activities.