The democratic dispensation ushered in in 1994 introduced an electoral system that ensured proportional representation. This is beneficial for smaller political parties at both national and municipal level. It ensures that those who elected them have a voice in Parliament and at local government. It also gives an opportunity to small parties to have the balance of power as in the case of AL JAMA-AH in the City of Johannesburg.
AL JAMA-AH was started in 2007 as a faith based political platform before opening up for all communities. It’s political programme and activities are based on the foundational values of the liberation struggle reflected in the Constitution, which includes a deep commitment to ethical leadership, equality, justice, and freedom. In pursuance of these values, the party focusses on problems experienced by poor communities throughout the country, addressing these problems as part of their manifesto. Including:
- promoting full employment with decent work as defined by the International Labour Organisation to reduce the high unemployment rate in the country;
- basic services such as water advocating its provision should be a right;
- reduction of crime with focus on personal protection in one’s home;
- reducing homelessness;
- stopping gender-based violence;
- encouraging entrepreneurship;
- promoting ethics and morality in all areas of life; and
- fighting corruption and promoting justice.
Al Jama-ah’s growth between the 2009 national elections, the last national elections in 2019 and the local government elections in 2021 demonstrates that communities are responding positively to its programme and activities.
AL JAMA -AH MILESTONES
Al Jama-ah has been active in all three tiers of government. Its activities include key interventions in 5 lawmaking bills, questions to the President, the Deputy President and Ministers. Its participation is reflected in declarations in reports, motions without notice, motions, statements and in plenary debates. The Party has also been involved in Constituency work in 6 different provinces.
Al Jama-ah councillors have been working hard to ensure service delivery in their constituencies, occupying some of the most influential positions in municipalities including Executive Mayor, Deputy Mayor, chief whip, mayoral committee members, chairs and deputy chairs of municipal committees. In Parliament its sole member has achieved much through his hard work engendering respect across the political spectrum.
WARD COUNCILLOR POSITION IN LENASIA
As one of the founding members Councilor Imraan Moosa is currently a board member of Khidmatul. He serves as a Ward Councilor in his area Lenasia (Ward 9) and has won two elections. He is the Chief Whip of the Party in Johannesburg. He was elected Chairperson in the City of Johannesburg for EISD (Section 79 Committee) which comprises the following entities:
- City Power
- Johannesburg Water
- Infrastructure
- Pick it up!
Despite the National challenges South Africa faces, the manner and style of Councilor Imraan Moosa has set very high standards of service delivery for councillors across South Africa. More recently, his position in leading some of the massive marches in Johannesburg has cemented him as the Councilor for the Palestinian cause.
ELECTORAL GROWTH
The Party began participating in national elections in 2009. At the time it gained a small foothold with 0.15 per cent of the vote.
Since then, it has continued to grow in support and in 2019 gained one seat in national Parliament and one in the provincial parliament. This was a major milestone for the party. Its founder and president, Ganief Hendricks, occupied the national parliamentary seat.
Despite its size, Al Jama-ah has been able to make a decisive contributions to several legislative interventions in line with its core mandate. The most significant of these is the Maintenance Amendment Bill which seeks to give women a transport and accommodation allowance to get to the maintenance court hearings. Men presently men get these allowances.
Al Jama–ah began participating in local government elections in 2011. That year the Party garnered 13,227.
In the 2016 elections, the Party attracted almost three times more votes being 36,891 – which enabled us to appoint nine councillors. The 2016 results showed that the party was on an upward trajectory, most especially in Lenasia, a crucial ward in greater Johannesburg, which we took from the official opposition party. In the 2021 municipal elections, we increased the number of councillors to 12.
Most significantly, Al Jama-ah is part of the co-governing coalition in the City of Johannesburg. Its councillor, Kabelo Gwamanda from Soweto, was elected mayor by the 9 political parties in the coalition, including the African National Congress and EFF. This despite the party having only 3 councillors in the council.
This demonstrates the confidence these parties had in Al Jama-ah’s leadership, in the largest council in the country, in the economic powerhouse of the country.
This means that Al Jama-ah from humble beginnings is now represented at all 3 tiers of government.
The party aims to continue this upward trend by reaching out to communities beyond its core constituencies (Muslim voters). Our political programme caters for everyone. We have already attracted members of other faiths into both our leadership and membership. Our Mayor for example, is a Christian and so is the head of our Women’s League, and our Chief Whip and Deputy Mayor in some municipalities.
LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER INTERVENTIONS
Al Jama-ah’s president Ganief Hendricks has used his voice in Parliament to articulate the aspirations of communities and highlight issues that concern all of us. For example:
– Successfully petitioning the government for provision of electricity in Mpame Village in Mbashe municipality and for a fishing vessel to assist a local fishing co-operative.
– land reform and specific questions regarding the provision of housing for communities;
– rental of a factory to manufacture peanut butter for the Groutville peanut butter co-operative to honour a Noble Prize winner who is buried there;
– Skills development programmes, especially for women, by providing free material to make clothing from its Parliamentary Constituency offices in Umdoni in KwaZulu Natal;
– An agricultural learning institute in Pietermaritzburg Village;
– And addressing the Non-Recognition of Religious Marriages
- Due to discriminatory marriage laws, Muslim marriages are not recognised in South African law and unlike other women and children, they do not enjoy the protection of the courts in the case of dissolution of such a marriage.
- In 2020 the party tabled a private members bill, the Muslim Marriages Bill. This Bill was designed to recognise Muslim marriages and give Muslim women and children the same rights and access to the courts as non-Muslim women and children when Ulema cannot assist.
- The Muslim nikah/marriage is now registered on the National Population Register that triggers a valid South African Marriage certificate with the type of marriage designated as a Muslim Marriage.
Honourable Hendricks holds positions on the following Portfolio and Ad-Hoc Committees:
Portfolio Committees:
- Small Business Development
- Water and Sanitation
- Home Affairs
- Justice and Correctional Services
- Health
- International Relations
Ad-Hoc Committees:
- Public Protector
- New Public Protector
- Amendments to Intelligence Act – on this committee he is a lone voice to remove torture.
What this important legislative intervention shows is that no matter how small a party is, it can effect change through determination, persuasion of other political parties and persistence.
THE 2024 ELECTIONS
The national elections in 2024 will be held on the 30th anniversary of freedom. Certain polls have suggested that the ruling ANC may achieve less than 50% at the polls. Whether this is happens or not, the political landscape will become more robust and coalitions may be required at national level as is currently the case at local government level.
Al Jama-ah stands ready to be an effective party and continue its upward trajectory with increased seats in national and provincial parliaments and be an effective party.
This will enable us to hold the balance of power in some co-governing / independent instances and thus play a constructive role in advancing in practical ways, the vison in the Bill of Rights. In doing this it will be guided by moral ethics and justice and through constructive partnerships with parties sharing its vision.
The party has demonstrated its ability to achieve much with little funding. It is confident that with sufficient funding, it will not only increase its percentage of voting throughout the country but can expand its important programmes, including those aimed at improving the quality of life for communities in the townships and rural areas.
The party therefore appeals to funders to support us in deepening ethical political leadership that puts communities first.
KEY OBJECTIVES FOR 2024 ELECTIONS
Al Jama-ah’s key objectives for the 2024 elections are to:
- increase its seats in Parliament;
- increase its seats in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament;
- achieve the balance of power in the Western Cape provincial parliament;
- get seats in other provincial legislatures.
- Remove torture from South Africa Intelligence legislation.
FUNDING REQUEST
Our funding target is R500 million. We have thus far secured pledges of R5 million. We appeal to funders to assist us in deepening democracy in the country by contributing generously to help us reach our funding target.
The party is willing to give an in-person presentation if so desired.
For any queries or further information kindly contact: Gafsa Samodien – 068 506 0491
Should you wish to support us, and make a contribution, our bank details are:
Al Jama-ah
BANK: Nedbank
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1202085571
BRANCH: Howard Centre, Pinelands
BRANCH NUMBER: 198765
Thank you
Hon Ganief Hendricks
Member of Parliament and Leader of Al Jama-ah
[email protected] /[email protected]
082780 2573
Professor Muhammed Haron
CEO of Al Jama-ah
[email protected]
082 262 6766
Riaz Randeree
Political Funding Compliance Manager
[email protected]
074 219 8658