AfriForum and March and March recently announced the formation of a joint working group aimed at addressing community challenges, promoting peaceful coexistence, strengthening community self-reliance and holding government accountable.
However, President of the General Industries Workers’ Union of South Africa Mametlwe Sebei rejected the initiative, arguing that both organisations are aligned against the interests of the black working class.
Speaking to Channel Africa on Wednesday, Sebei questioned the description of the organisations as rights-based movements. “What rights are any of these organisations fighting for? Because a right by definition has to be enjoyed by all, otherwise it becomes a privilege,” Sebei said.
Sebei accused AfriForum of opposing measures intended to address historical inequalities. “AfriForum has opposed every single measure to bring about redress for the landless majority of people that are also black working class and poor in this country,” Sebei said.
According to Sebei, AfriForum has resisted policies such as affirmative action, land reform and National Health Insurance.
Sebei also criticised March and March for campaigns targeting undocumented migrants and foreign nationals. “Where all of us are now fighting for equality, universal public healthcare, they are actually saying migrants must be kept out of that,” Sebei said.
Sebei argued that both organisations ultimately contribute to divisions within the working class while benefiting employers. “There is a common denominator between these two, that they are essentially anti-poor, anti-black working class,” Sebei said.
Sebei said migrant workers who are excluded from legal protections become more vulnerable to exploitation in the workplace. “A worker who is terrorised, who is traumatised, is not a worker that is going to demand a fair wage,” Sebei said.
Sebei claimed this creates conditions where employers can avoid labour protections and workplace standards won through collective bargaining.
Addressing calls for stricter identity documentation and immigration enforcement, Sebei drew comparisons with apartheid-era pass laws. “The whole foundation of the pass laws was that you had workers that basically required an identification,” Sebei said.
Sebei argued that enforcing identity checks on a widespread basis could disproportionately affect black South Africans and migrants because of the practical difficulties in distinguishing between citizens and foreign nationals.
The remarks come amid growing debate over immigration, service delivery, employment and access to public services in SA.
AfriForum and March and March have maintained that their partnership is aimed at strengthening communities and improving accountability.
–ChannelAfrica–
