South Africa’s foreign policy is once again thrown into sharp focus following the Freedom Front Plus’s (FF Plus) call for the restoration of diplomatic ties with Israel.
FF Plus member of Parliament, Corné Mulder, last week argued that normalisation of relations was a necessary starting point if South Africa genuinely wishes to contribute to lasting peace in the Middle East.
The FF Plus frame this as a pragmatic move, suggesting that if South Africa restores relations, it would send a “positive message” to the United States (US), a gesture deemed “critical at this stage” of negotiations to normalise trade relations between the two countries. This argument directly targets the ANC’s political anxiety regarding its relationship with Western states, particularly the US, South Africa’s second-largest trading partner.
FF Plus’s plea comes nearly two years after the country’s sixth Parliament, driven by seismic political shifts following the events of 7 October 2023, formally resolved to suspend those very relations.
As the African National Congress (ANC) navigates the waters of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the conflict over Palestine has surged back onto the national agenda, threatening to pit the executive against Parliament.
EFF, Al Jama-ah oppose ties with Israel
Leading the charge against any attempt at diplomatic normalisation is the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the original proponents of the 2023 motion to shut down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria. The EFF remains uncompromising in its stance: diplomatic ties must remain severed with the “apartheid state of Israel” until all Occupied Territories are returned and a lasting peaceful solution is achieved.
The party views the current US-backed Gaza ceasefire with suspicion, urging Palestinians to approach it with extreme caution. Crucially, the EFF believes the resolution passed by the National Assembly in November 2023 to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel is being deliberately ignored by President Cyril Ramaphosa, suggesting he lacks the political will to implement the parliamentary resolution.
“We will have to look into legal action to force the President to implement the motion,” said the EFF.
EFF leader Julius Malema has previously voiced his conviction that the Palestine issue has been negatively impacted – or entirely removed – from South Africa’s national agenda by the political dynamics of the GNU.
Last year, Malema argued that the ANC’s partners, including the FF Plus – who he characterised as “remnants of apartheid” and “fanatics of Zionist Apartheid Israel” – have successfully muzzled Ramaphosa. The president’s noticeable silence on Palestine during his July 2024 Opening of Parliament Address was deemed a result of being “hamstrung” and “scared to offend” his new coalition partners.
Adding to the EFF’s stance, the Al Jama-ah party vehemently rejected the FF Plus’s proposal, labelling it an “apartheid activity”. The party’s leader, Ganief Hendricks – who is also deputy minister of Social Development in the GNU executive – asserted that because Israel is a Zionist entity and an apartheid state, supporting such a proposal risks violating the Rome Statute, which is sufficient to criminally charge those supporting apartheid.
The AL JAMA-AH political party recently held a three-day National conference in Lenasia. One hundred members came together from 7 provinces, to critically analyze mistakes of the past to brainstorm, and prepare for the next local government elections, committing to putting the party first and preparing for the next local government elections.
AL JAMA-AH celebrates its 18th Anniversary with farm dwellers from Nantes Farm in Paarl, Western Cape on Freedom Day!
Al Jama-ah had a ceremonial handover of a copy of a court order to representatives of farm dwellers living on Nantes Farm in Paarl, Drakenstein Municipality in the Cape Winelands District, Western Cape.
The court order compels the farm owner to restore the property to a position it was before.
The handing over of a copy of the court order to the seven families living on Nantes farm, will symbolize their ‘freedom’ on Freedom Day which corresponds with the 18th Anniversary of the Al Jama-ah Party, formed during April 2007 in Lansdowne.
The Nantes representatives joined in the anniversary celebration where their plight was further highlighted.
The birthday celebration took place on Sunday 27 April 2025 at the Lansdowne Civic Centre, Corner of Church Street & Lansdowne Road, Lansdowne, Cape Town.
Guests were treated to a delicious spit braai and Malay delicacies.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Attorney Faisel Idris Sheikh to lead the Office of Digital Transformation and Innovation Unit (ODTIU).
Attorney Faisel Idris Sheikh was recently appointed to lead ODTIU, bringing expertise in Smart Cities, ICT Law, and Corporate Governance to drive sustainable rural development.
As a specialist in Smart Cities and Strategic Development, Faisel will drive sustainable rural development through technology, leveraging his expertise in ICT Law, Data Law, Corporate Finance, and Corporate Governance.
This appointment aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s vision for a digital revolution in government, emphasizing the use of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance service delivery and promote economic growth.
We welcome Faisel to this new role and look forward to his contributions.
Pictured with Hon. DM Ganief Hendricks, Prof. Haroon, and Adv. Y.K. Dalwai.
The first-ever South African marriage certificate with an entry of ‘Muslim marriage’ was issued to a couple whose Nikah (Muslim marriage) was performed at Cravenby Estate in the Western Cape earlier this month, the Al Jama-ah Party said.
This comes as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) confirmed it had issued the first South African marriage certificates officially recognising the “type of marriage” as “Muslim”.
“After changes made to the Department’s internal systems, Home Affairs has granted the first batch of 33 marriage certificates for Muslim marriages for the first time in South African history,” the department said in a statement.
“Members of the Islamic faith community have made extraordinary contributions to South Africa’s history for more than 350 years,” Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said.
“While it comes hundreds of years later than it should have, it is a personal honour for me to preside as Minister over the granting of marriage certificates recognising Muslim marriages.”
Schreiber said this marked a significant step towards enhancing the dignity of this faith community, and reflects the ongoing commitment of Home Affairs to deliver dignity to all their clients. “It is also an expression of nation building, and a celebration of South Africa’s unity in diversity.”
Al Jama-ah said although it has been a long wait for a Muslim marriage certificate in line with Islamic Shari’ah Law, the party commended the DHA.
“Muslim couples can now register their marriages with a valid Nikah certificate with the DHA, and the marriage will be registered on the National Population Register and the couples will receive a South African Muslim marriage certificate,” the party said in a statement.
“The marriages of Muslims has never been recognised in South Africa – despite more than 350 years of Islam in the country – by both the former apartheid government and the new dispensation.”
The party said it has set a target of reaching one million Muslims to get a valid South African Muslim marriage certificate.
South African Muslim Marriage Certificates can now be issued for Muslim Marriage Couples
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Both wife and husband to be present and consent to be married to each other under the Muslim marriage
Copies of ID documents/ID cards/ Affidavit
Two representatives need to be present, one from each family, with certified copies of their IDs and a sworn declaration/affidavit from the SAPS from each one confirming full details of the marriage celebration and their attendance. The couple must state the Dowry agreement in their affidavit. A Sharia law marriage certificate, commonly known as a (Nikah certificate), must be submitted for marriage registration.
If one of the spouses is deceased, the surviving spouse must submit a sworn affidavit, as well as a sworn affidavit by a family member who witnessed the marriage (preferably from the deceased family).
The issue of a marriage certificate costs R 20.00 after registration, which can take 3-5 working days.
If one of the spouses is deceased, the applicant needs to apply for an unabridged marriage certificate with a fee of R75.00 payable
Should you need any assistance – CALL : HOTLINE NUMBER +27 (21) 023 4425
REQUIREMENTS:
When visiting Home Affairs please take along your Nikah Certificate and ID/Affidavit of both the husband and wife
Both you and your spouse must be present
WHERE CAN I GET HELP:
Advisory Desk 1: Home Affairs, 2 Maynard Mall, 70 Main Road, Wynberg
Advisory Desk 2: Home Affairs: Alpha Street, Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain
Oversight Desk: Harrison Street, Johannesburg
Oversight Desk: Umgeni Road, Durban
Should you need any assistance – CALL : HOTLINE NUMBER +27 (21) 023 4425
