March and March will not become a political party, aims to be ‘an AfriForum for black South Africans’

March and March will remain a civic organisation rather than turn into a political party, its leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said at a media briefing in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday evening, announcing plans to set up a legal advocacy forum and a humanitarian foundation.

What the movement announced

The organisation said it will establish the SA First Forum, described as a social justice litigation body, and the March and March Foundation, a humanitarian non-profit organisation. Ngobese-Zuma said both entities will operate as non-profit organisations.

Why they will not enter party politics

Ngobese-Zuma told reporters there was pressure from some members of the public for March and March to become a political party, but she said the movement could better serve South Africans as an independent civic organisation.

“Personally, I don’t feel that we’ll do them much justice if we become a political party. I feel they have a better chance of us listening to them if we’re not in political parties because we can listen to anyone from any political party with any concerns.”

She contrasted March and March’s approach with Operation Dudula, which later became a political party, saying March and March had no intention of following that route.

Model and objectives

Ngobese-Zuma confirmed the movement wants to model the forum on AfriForum, saying the idea is to create a legal platform to help South Africans who cannot afford to vindicate their rights. She said the forum’s primary objective is to provide justice to the poorest South Africans.

“So yeah, I think with the AfriForum one, I can definitely confirm 100% that is the idea behind it.”

She said litigation is expensive and that the forum will, when necessary, lead legal action against those who exploit and disadvantage vulnerable people. Ngobese-Zuma said the first case for the forum will relate to a South African Police Service circular which the movement believes is unconstitutional.

Foundation’s social goals

The March and March Foundation, Ngobese-Zuma said, will focus on social challenges in communities, including drug addiction, child trafficking and poor living conditions. She said the foundation will run programmes to help young people leave the streets, overcome addiction, reintegrate into society and help young women leave prostitution.

Views on migration and regional engagement

Ngobese-Zuma, whose movement has gained prominence through protests against undocumented foreign nationals, addressed what she said was South Africa being labelled xenophobic across the continent. She criticised African leaders and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), saying SADC should achieve what it is meant to achieve for the people and that March and March should be allowed to present its views directly to SADC leaders.

“South Africa right now is being labelled as xenophobic all over Africa and the world.”

She said the South African government should give March and March an opportunity to speak at SADC so the movement can “tell those leaders the truth they don’t want to hear.”

Funding and legal stance

Ngobese-Zuma dismissed allegations that March and March is funded by Israel, saying the government would have proved or acted on such claims if they were true. She said the movement aims to fund its work through voluntary contributions and to build a model where it can eventually support initiatives such as schools and other community projects.

“This forum will provide justice to the poorest South Africans, for whom justice has remained a distant dream for many years.”

Ngobese-Zuma emphasised the movement’s slogan for the forum: “SA First Forum because it’s South Africans first. We come first in our country, and that’s what it’s all about.”