JOHANNESBURG - AfriForum has met with MK Party leader Jacob Zuma to discuss the party’s push to scrap Section 235 of the Constitution, which deals with self-determination.
The MK Party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said Kriel was the one who initiated the engagement with the former president.
Kriel shared a picture of the two of them on social media, dubbing the meeting as 'constructive'.
In the post, he said discussions focused on issues including mother-tongue education, mutual recognition and respect between cultural communities, and agricultural development in traditional communities.
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Speaking at the back of this meeting, Ndhlela said that as a non-racial organisation, it's open to talks aimed at improving people’s lives. He said that it was not the first time Zuma had met with AfriForum.
He further added that its priority is ensuring the black majority is recognised.
"A number of things were discussed. He then said that he realised and recognised uMkhonto weSizwe Party as a legitimate key player and influential political party in the country, and that he felt that prior to local government elections and the outcomes thereof, they wanted to have discussions and engage in dialogue."
He said Zuma was clear about their stance in ensuring that the majority are represented in land ownership.
"It's unfortunate that AfriForum ran to the U.S., garnering support from the U.S. government, which has caused this mess, when they should have actually engaged South Africans in the way that they're engaging us right now.
"And we're saying that as uMkhonto weSizwe Party, we're a non-racial party. We're a party that welcomes anyone. Anyone who wants to have discussions with us, we're obviously open to having those discussions, because we're here to serve the interests of the people," he added.
The meeting has drawn attention, given the relationship between AfriForum and Zuma, with the two often holding different political views and even ideologies.
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Yet, despite this, it seems as though the two met on good terms.
Further in his post, Kriel said more meetings will follow, adding that as a civil society organisation, they remain outside of party politics.
"We are working for the next generation rather than the next election. In securing a better future for the next generation, we are committed to engaging with all stakeholders in South Africa, even though we may differ on certain issues. We are committed to helping find solutions to the challenges the country and all its people face," he shared.