AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel Eager to Engage With March and March’s Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, SA Divided
- AfriForum Chief Executive Officer, Kallie Kriel, weighed in on Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's desire to meet.
- Kriel noted that AfriForum had a long history of engaging with fellow South Africans to build a better future
- News of the planned meeting sparked mixed reactions, as some welcomed the move and others criticised it
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG – AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel is eager to meet with Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and her team, describing the engagement as part of AfriForum's broader history of building relationships with fellow South Africans.
The AfriForum Chief Executive Officer (CEO) took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that plans were in place for the meeting to go ahead. He made the comments after the March and March leader stated that they wanted to meet with AfriForum to learn from the civil rights organisation.
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Ngobese-Zuma explains purpose of the meeting
The planned meeting follows remarks made by Ngobese-Zuma during a March and March demonstration in Durban on 17 August 2026, outside the South African Development Community (SADC) Summit.
Speaking at the event, she outlined why her organisation sought the engagement with AfriForum, saying they wanted to learn from them because it was important to take lessons from people if they're doing something right.
She added that there were aspects where they disagreed with AfriForum but did want to learn about the things that it is doing correctly for its members.
How did South Africans react?
The announcement drew mixed reactions on social media, with some welcoming it and others criticising it.
@spinnermag wrote:
"I am looking forward to this collaboration. This will surely build the country."
@Nosillaeel added:
"Will support anything that builds this country into a state with accountable citizens who want to work together for a future."
Others were sceptical.
@malalaveve noted:
“Jacinta criticised those who met with the President; the only President to sign a land Bill, President Ramaphosa. But she can easily meet with Afriforum that opposes the return of land to black people.”
@MoketeMasilo cautioned:
"Illegal immigrants benefit you and your constituency. You have nothing in common to discuss. Please don't mislead her. Your interest is in white Afrikaners. Nothing wrong there. Just don't mislead her."
@KapteinPampoen wrote:
"This probably isn't a good move; don't give them any credibility, they don't belong in South Africa either."
SA First Forum to serve as legal arm for Black South Africans
Previously, Briefly News reported that Ngobese-Zuma launched the SA First Forum, which she previously described as "an AfriForum" for black South Africans.
According to Ngobese-Zuma, the body was registered as a non-profit entity and is intended to provide legal assistance to South Africans who cannot afford it.
Ngobese-Zuma confirmed the forum's first case would challenge a South African Police Service circular that the organisation believes is unconstitutional.
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Source: Briefly News
