06 May 2025
TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES
PRESS RELEASE
Al Jama-ah Party strongly condemns the recent bomb threats made against the Al Azhar Mosque in Aspelling Street, District Six, and threats of violence made against worshippers.
The party commends the leadership of the mosque for standing firm on their solidarity with Gaza in Palestine and its support for the liberation of Al Aqsa, Islam’s third holiest mosque.
“The threat to bomb the mosque is an act of supporting the Zionist Israeli entity and this is clearly a contravention of the Rome Statute. Any support for Israel is support for apartheid and thus a crime against humanity,” says Al Jama-ah’s leader Hon. Ganief Hendricks who is Deputy Minister of Social Development.
Al Jama-ah is confident that the South Africa’s National Intelligence Agency and the police will find the culprits. “We cannot have those who commit crimes against humanity to have free reign and undermine our Constitution which guarantees freedom of religion. We are aware that supporters of the apartheid Israeli entity are coming out of the closet in their quest for regime change outside the ballot box,” says Hendricks.
The message is clear that mosques will not be silenced and justice loving people will continue to show solidarity with Palestinians and other oppressed and occupied nations.
We demand that the police act swiftly to catch the cowards and that regular updates on investigations be made known.
Issued by Asghar Khan on behalf of Al Jama-ah
For media enquiries contact:
Nisa Hendricks (Media and Marketing Manager)
Cell: 082 613 1917
DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE
28 April 2025
AL JAMA-AH welcomes Tanzania’s lifting of ban on South African agricultural produce:
Al Jama-ah Party welcomes Tanzania’s lifting of ban on South African agricultural produce and calls for the formation of a United African States.
The party’s leader Hon Ganief Hendricks, the Deputy Minister of Social Development Congratulated the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation for his successful negotiations leading to the lifting of Tanzania’s ban on South African agricultural products.
Al Jama-ah Party welcomes Tanzania’s lifting of ban on South African agricultural produce and calls for the formation of a United African States.
The party’s leader Hon Ganief Hendricks, the Deputy Minister of Social Development Congratulated the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation for his successful negotiations leading to the lifting of Tanzania’s ban on South African agricultural products.
“This is a major step towards realizing the dream of a United African States (UAS). Tanzania remains a critical partner in the African unity project. It was Tanzania that
once provided the continent with a strong secretariat – an institution we need to revive today to silence the guns across Africa and open borders for unrestricted trade,” said Hendricks.
Al Jama-ah honours the crucial role played by Julius Nyerere, founding member of the Organisation of African Unity, who organised African support for South African liberation movements’ struggle against apartheid, colonialism and imperialism. “These two countries have a strong history as Tanzania was the first safe post for anti-apartheid activists who fled in the aftermath of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre,” said Hendricks.
“We trust that the lifting of the ban on South African agricultural products will lead to successful trading and strengthen ties on all fronts with Tanzania a,” added Hendricks.
Issued by Asghar Khan on behalf of Al Jama-ah
For media enquiries contact:
Nisa Hendricks (Media and Marketing Manager)
Cell: 082 613 1917
DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE
PRESS STATEMENT
24 April 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Statement: Al Jama-ah Endorses #Week4Palestine 2025
Al Jama-ah proudly endorses the #Week4Palestine (#W4P) 2025 global campaign, scheduled for 1 to 7 May 2025, under the theme Red Card Israel, which calls for the suspension of Israeli teams from FIFA in solidarity with the Palestinian people’s fight for justice, equality, and liberation. We join the over 100 organisations in South Africa and worldwide in commemorating this week, not through mere words but through active campaigns that drive solidarity and isolate the genocidal apartheid regime of Israel.
As part of the overwhelming majority of South Africans who pledge unconditional solidarity with Palestine, Al Jama-ah stands with a nation who view Palestinians as brothers and sisters in struggle. During South Africa’s dark days of apartheid, Palestinian resistance fighters shared training camps with our freedom fighters, forging a bond rooted in our shared experience of oppression by settler colonial invaders seeking to dispossess our lands.
Last year during #Week4Palestine, before the elections, several political parties signed a pledge to South African voters that we would stand with Palestine and we continue to do so. The elections affirmed that South Africans rejected “two faced parties”, “fence sitters” and Zionists when over two-thirds of voters voted for pro-Palestine parties including Al Jama-ah.
South Africa’s own history of land dispossession, apartheid, and human rights violations morally compels us to stand with the oppressed worldwide. Drawing inspiration from the global anti-apartheid movement of the 1970s and 80s, which secured South Africa’s freedom through sports boycotts, cultural isolations, academic restrictions, consumer boycotts, arms embargoes, and diplomatic pressure, Al Jama-ah calls on all South Africans to support #Week4Palestine. This campaign is essential to dismantling the Netanyahu regime, just as international solidarity helped end apartheid in South Africa.
Al Jama-ah will be participating in nationwide activities in collaboration with like-minded partners in the political sphere, faith-based communities, and civil society, aligning with #Week4Palestine to demonstrate unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people. We urge South Africans from all backgrounds to endorse and participate in the campaign’s events, from marches to educational initiatives, to amplify the call for Palestinian liberation.
Issued by Asghar Khan behalf of Al Jama-ah
Media Enquiries:
Nisa Hendricks
082 613 1917
DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE
AL JAMA-AH is now playing a decisive role in the political life of South Africa and has successfully turned the tide on the proposed VAT increase—securing a critical victory for the people of South Africa.
As a party committed to justice and equity, Al Jama-ah has consistently opposed oppressive taxation, including VAT, which disproportionately impacts the poor and working-class. Through extensive negotiations and unwavering advocacy, our representatives made it clear to our GNU partners that a VAT increase is not only unjust but also counter to the spirit of building a people-centered economy.
Our Member of Parliament, Adv. S. Salie, echoed this stance during deliberations, making a passionate case for the reduction—not increase—of VAT, to ease the burden on the most vulnerable in society.
The Leader of Al Jama-ah and Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mr. Ganief Hendricks, articulated the party’s commitment to a fiscal framework and budget that upholds the dignity and livelihood of the 45% of South Africans who rely on social grants. Any delay or failure to adopt such a budget would directly threaten food security, household stability, and the constitutional imperative of dignity for all.
Despite resistance from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and others, Al Jama-ah remained firm in advancing the cause of Zero Hunger and sustainable livelihoods. In a poignant and symbolic act of unity and advocacy, Al Jama-ah’s Women’s League Chairperson, Mr. Veli Luthuli—the daughter-in-law of the late ANC President and Nobel Laureate Chief Albert Luthuli— broke away from the inquest into the murder of the Late Chief Luthuli and appealed to the conscience of the ANC leadership with the immortal words of her father-in-law: “Let my people go.” This message rang clear: free South Africans from the chains of excessive taxation.
Al Jama-ah reaffirms its support for the 40 budget votes that seek to bring real progress, economic transformation, and social upliftment to our people. We will continue to advocate for policies that place the needs of the people first, and resist any measure that worsens inequality.
This victory on VAT is not just a party triumph—it is a victory for every South African household
DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE
Issued by: Asghar Khan on behalf of Al Jama-ah
Media Enquiries: Nisa Hendricks (082 613 1917)
21 April 2025
PRESS RELEASE
NO EMBARGO
AL JAMA-AH expresses condolences on the death of Pope Francis:
Al Jama-ah Party extends its deep condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and its followers worldwide on the demise of Pope Francis.
The Pope was unflinching in his condemnation of the Zionist Israeli regime’s brutal atrocity and genocide of Palestinians.
Known as the “Pope for the oppressed people” his advocacy for human rights and for speaking up against Israeli atrocities committed on Palestinians, will be missed. The Pope leaves behind a proud legacy to challenge injustice and to speak out against it consistently .
Issued by Asghar Khan on behalf of Al Jama-ah
For media enquiries contact:
Nisa Hendricks
(Media and Marketing Manager)
Cell: 082 613 1917
DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE
21 April 2025
PRESS RELEASE
NO EMBARGO
AL JAMA-AH helps farm dwellers to have their human rights restored on the farm they are living in Paarl in the Western Cape:
Al Jama-ah Party has stepped in to implement a court order to restore the human rights and dignity of seven families living at Nantes farm on the R45 in Paarl in the Drakenstein Municipality, Western Cape. Despite the court ruling in 2022, the families’ continued to be unlawfully denied the right to have their vehicles access their housing precinct.
This followed the families’ three-year battle to have a court order executed which include that the Respondents, restore conditions on the farm to its position as it was previously.
The respondents, Mr Izak Spies, Ian Du Plessis, and Fynbos Landscapes PTY Ltd, have fenced off the property situated at Portion 7 of the farm Nantes, denying any vehicles –including emergency vehicles – access to the precinct of the families houses. They, instead ‘constructed’ a long, narrow, and uneven footpath which the families had to use to enter or exit the property.
This caused much harm to the families which include young children, elderly and disabled people. A tragic incident took place two years ago when a matric learner went into sudden labour at home and the paramedics were unable to reach the house and sadly, her newly born baby who was in need of emergency aid, has subsequently died. During the long and wet winter months, children are unable to attend school, as the pathway is often flooded. Three of the seven families own vehicles but they are forced to park their cars at the homes of relatives or friends on neighbouring farms.
The families approached the Stellenbosch Legal Clinic who took their matter to the Paarl Magistrate’s Court. The court ruled: “That the Applicant’s peaceful and undisturbed possession of the property, specifically their water and electricity supply to the structures they occupy on the property, their waste and sewage removal services on the property, situated at Portion 7 of the farm Nantes, number 499, Paarl, be restored to the position as it was before the Respondents disturbed such possession on or about 20 November 2021.”
But the Sheriff has failed to execute the order stating a lack of funds. In December 2024, following the Department of Social Development’s Community Dialogue with farmworkers, a request was made to the Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, to assist implementation of the court order. Deputy Minister Hendricks, brought Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso to Nantes to listen to the plight of the seven families.
In commemoration of Al Jama-ah’s 18th anniversary, the party, at its own cost, has instructed its attorneys to act by implementing the long overdue court order.
“Evictions and inhumane living conditions are tragic reminders of the harm caused by the Group Areas Act during the darkest days of apartheid in South Africa. What better contribution can be more made than by stopping an apartheid activity on the important occasion of AL JAMA-AH’s 18th birthday,” says Hendricks.
He is working around the clock to have the fence which was erected to prohibit vehicles access to the families’ homes, and the opening of the main gate on the farm. “This removal of the fence will take place before Freedom Day and Al Jama-ah will rally the surrounding farm communities to celebrate the freedom of the Nantes residents on Monday 28 April 2025,” says Hendricks.
The representatives of the seven families who took the matter to court, are: Francisca Dreyer, Pieter Carelse, Johannes Halvendo, Johan Swartz, Klaas Soutman, John Carelse and David Soutman.
Issued by Asghar Khan on behalf of Al Jama-ah
For media enquiries contact:
Nisa Hendricks
(Media and Marketing Manager)
Cell: 082 613 1917
DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HERE
