Hendricks pledges to drive smart city push

Hendricks pledges to drive smart city push

QWAQWA — The Deputy Minister of Social Development Mogamad Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks says government is accelerating plans to turn Maluti-a-Phofung into a smart city by taking essential services directly to communities.

Hendricks led a multi-department outreach at Phuthaditjhaba on Monday, bringing South African Social Security Agency and Department of Home Affairs services under one roof, including Smart ID applications.

“I came to QwaQwa to bring government services closer so people don’t travel far or queue for hours,” he said.

He pledged close cooperation with Executive Mayor Malekula Melato to tackle service delivery and infrastructure bottlenecks.

“This is one of the country’s largest municipalities. With our universities, colleges and talented youth, we will make it a smart city. I will raise these issues with the President.”

Acknowledging water and electricity shortages, Hendricks called for interim measures—such as solar solutions—alongside long-term projects.

Residents welcomed the access. Francina Dlamini of Monontsha said the outreach cut queues and brought answers on SASSA and Home Affairs. Others, including first-time Smart ID applicants, praised the convenience.

Hendricks also highlighted youth programmes to curb teenage pregnancies and HIV infections, urging adherence to treatment and setting a 2030 elimination goal.

Original article published in The Guard Newspaper 16.2.206 | Emily Setona | https://theguard.co.za/services-drive-smart-city-push-hendricks/

Al Jama-ah concerned about “First Safe Country” Clause in Draft Refugee Policy

Al Jama-ah concerned about “First Safe Country” Clause in Draft Refugee Policy

Al Jama-ah President Hon. Ganief Hendricks, MP, has formally objected to Clause 3.4.4 of the Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection — commonly referred to as the “First Safe Country Principle.” The proposed clause would make asylum seekers ineligible for protection in South Africa if they passed through another country classified as “safe” before arriving here.

According to Hendricks, this represents a significant shift away from South Africa’s constitutional commitments and liberation legacy.

A Question of History and Principle

During the struggle against apartheid, many countries across Africa and beyond opened their borders to South African exiles. Algeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Cuba, Libya, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia and Palestine provided training, shelter, financial support and political solidarity at a time when much of the Western world remained silent.

Hendricks highlighted that Nelson Mandela received military training in Algeria in 1962 and that several African states became operational bases for the liberation movement.
Al Jama-ah argues that adopting a policy that could restrict asylum seekers from these regions raises serious moral and historical concerns.

Constitutional and Legal Obligations

South Africa’s Refugees Act and Constitution embed the principle of non-refoulement — meaning that individuals should not be returned to places where they face danger. The country is also bound by international agreements, including the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Convention.
The party maintains that the proposed clause risks undermining these obligations and importing an immigration framework that does not align with South Africa’s constitutional values or historical context.

A Proposed Alternative

In place of the restrictive clause, Al Jama-ah has proposed what it calls a “Liberation Solidarity Exemption.” This would ensure that asylum seekers from countries that supported South Africa’s liberation struggle remain eligible for protection, regardless of their transit route.
The party has called on the Department of Home Affairs and the Portfolio Committee to withdraw Clause 3.4.4 and initiate broader public engagement on the matter.

The Broader Debate

At its core, the issue raises an important national question: how should South Africa balance border management with its constitutional principles, historical alliances, and commitment to human dignity?

Al Jama-ah has stated that any immigration reform must reflect the country’s past, uphold its legal obligations, and protect the values upon which the democratic state was built.

DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE

DOWNLOAD AL JAMA-AH’s REVISED WHITE PAPER ON CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION, AND REFUGEE PROTECTION

Al Jama-Ah Announces Honourable Imraan Moosa As Parliamentary Leader

Al Jama-Ah Announces Honourable Imraan Moosa As Parliamentary Leader

Al jama-ah is proud to announce that honourable Imraan Moosa has officially taken up his seat in parliament as the party’s new member of parliament and will serve as the leader of Al Jama-ah in the National Assembly.

Honourable Moosa’s ascension comes after a period of selfless sacrifice and dedicated service as a councillor in the City of Johannesburg.

Honourable Moosa continues to demonstrate unwavering commitment to the cause and mission of Al Jama-ah. With a proven track record of leadership and ground-level impact, including four consecutive electoral victories in Lenasia, he will not only lead the party’s efforts in parliament but also spearhead its growth and ward-level wins nationwide.

We are confident that under his leadership in parliament, Al Jama-ah will continue to advance its values of justice, service delivery, and ethical governance, while expanding its influence across the country

The SONA Address 2025

The SONA Address 2025

Honourable Ganief Hendricks, Deputy Minister of Social Development and leader of the AL JAMA-AH political party and Advocate Shameemah Salie attended the SONA address 2025

Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) leader, Mr Martin Jansen was the special guest of Deputy Minister and leader of Al Jama-ah at Sona 2025. Jansen is being interviewed on the Anti-Apartheid Bill which calls for the punishment of South Africans who support apartheid, especially the Zionist Israeli entity. Al Jama-ah’s MP, Adv Shameemah submitted to Parliament on behalf of more than 60 000 people who marched to parliament in support of Palestine

DM Hendricks Addresses Strategic Planning Session On Poverty Eradication and Social Development

DM Hendricks Addresses Strategic Planning Session On Poverty Eradication and Social Development

At a crucial strategic planning session for the Department of Social Development (DSD) held at Diep in die Berg Conference Centre, Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks called for a united effort to address South Africa’s persistent challenges of unemployment, inequality, and poverty. Attended by senior managers and Minister of Social Development Ms. Sisisi Tolashe, the meeting underscored the significance of the recently established Government of National Unity (GNU) in prioritising the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 as a framework for recovery and development over the next three years.

In his opening address, Hendricks stated, “The President made it clear that the next three years will prioritise the NDP 2030. We must pave the way forward to eradicate unemployment, inequalities, and poverty.” He emphasised the urgency of the situation, reminding DSD officials that many South Africans still lack access to basic services, food, and employment. “Imagine a life without basic services, no food, and unemployment; this is the reality for many,” he said, highlighting the need for the DSD to concentrate its efforts at the district level.

The Deputy Minister announced the launch of the DSD’s “first 100 Days” initiative, which aligns with the recently concluded 100 Days for the 7th Parliament. He remarked, “By 2030, every South African must have R1000 for food,” asserting that while these targets are ambitious, they are essential for enhancing the quality of life for citizens.

Hendricks noted a collaborative approach, stating that accountability for achieving these goals has been assigned to Ministers and Deputy Ministers through a new structure called “Consequent Management.” This initiative aims to ensure that deadlines are met and responsibilities are clearly defined. “We are here today to tell the President that we are going to achieve the eradication of poverty by 2030,” he declared.

Additionally, the Deputy Minister stressed the importance of understanding and implementing the objectives of the International Labour Organization’s ‘Convention on Decent Work,’ of which South Africa is a signatory. “We must grasp the benefits of decent work; it’s not just about paying large sums of money,” he remarked.

As the session progressed, Hendricks announced a commitment from the Gauteng Premier to recruit unemployed social workers as law enforcement agents, underscoring the need for their training and preparation for this new role. The workshop aimed to reflect on past successes and failures, prepare for the upcoming Social Sector Lekgotla in October 2024, and develop a strategic plan aligned with the GNU and the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP).

The urgency of the challenges ahead was evident, as Deputy Minister Hendricks called on all stakeholders to join forces in a concerted effort to “leave no one behind” in the fight against poverty and inequality.

 

Hon. Shameemah Salie’s Maiden Speech in Parliament

Hon. Shameemah Salie’s Maiden Speech in Parliament

MINI PLENARY AT GOOD HOPE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT
VOTE 6: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
DATE: THURS 11 JULY 2024

In her debate on the budget for 2023/2024 financial year, former Minister Dr Naledi Pandor emphasised on the importance of “Strengthening Partnerships to forge a more just and equitable global system.”

It is thus encouraging to see that DIRCO’s strategic plan on its vision as from 2020 – 2025 amongst others, includes a just and equitable vision on the African continent. However, this should be filtered globally as emphasised by the former Minister. South Africa has taken a brazen and just stance on humanity when it took the Zionist Israeli entity to the International Court for Justice for genocidal acts against Palestinians.

The former Minister’s emphasis on “Strengthening Partnerships to forge a more just and equitable global system” remains relevant today. Has this 2024/25 budget considered that South Africa’s continuous fight for the genocidal case against Israel; not only strengthening support for Palestine, but also for other occupied countries as in the case of Western Sahara, the RIF Republic, and Kashmir?     

Despite a slight decrease in the 2023/24 budget, the country gained an increase in foreign direct investments; especially in its partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition where investment of about 1.4 trillion rand was achieved. Since the Trade, Industry and Competition is one of the department’s clusters, what is the department’s position on the latter’s trade with the Zionist Israeli entity?

While promoting solidarity with the Palestinians’ liberation struggle, South Africa’s trades with Israel remains strong. The Trade, Industry and Competition’s exports of vehicles, aircraft and vessels has tripled since 2017 – 2023 (2023: R107 982 352); other goods, live animals, vegetables, mineral products, chemicals, etc. amounted to almost 3 billion rand exported goods to this apartheid state; this is rather hypocritical!

Returning to my point on strengthening partnerships to forge a just and equitable global system: as much as we want to see economic growth and good relations on a global level, at the same time we must ensure that such relations are aimed to create a just and equitable system regionally, on the African continent and globally.

As soon as South Africa’s new cabinet was announced, we saw how the new Minister of International Relations and Cooperation was pounced on by the US reminding South Africa to further ferment its bilateral relations.  Al Jama-ah calls on South Africa to remain steadfast on the undertaking given to strengthen bilateral engagements and relations with an African Agenda.   

We call on the Minister of Justice and Cooperation to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor by increasing South Africa’s solidarity with Palestinians and other occupied countries; to further pursue South Africa’s genocide case against the criminally minded Zionist Prime Minister for its genocidal attacks on Palestinians.

South Africa must continue to support and improve its solidarity efforts for the conviction of Israeli prime minister and for the liberation of Palestine, occupied Western Sahara, Kashmir and the RIF Republic; to increase solidarity with Cuba who is under an economic blockade from the west and to play a fundamental role in bringing about peace in South Sudan, Mali, Libya, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad.

AL JAMA-AH does not support a two-state solution; AL JAMA-AH supports a one state solution! We cannot claim ownership of land through a genocide

AL JAMA-AH supports this budget with concerns, and we will be holding an observational role surrounding this budget.

Thank you

Maiden Speech in Parliament by Adv. Shameemah Salie 
AL JAMA-AH MP

Download Full Speech here