The President of Al Jama-ah, Hon. Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, together with our Executive Mayoral Candidate, Adv. Shameemah Salie, attended the manifesto debate at Zibonele Studio in Khayelitsha, where Al Jama-ah’s ward candidate for Khayelitsha, Masibulele Zitha announced as Deputy Mayoral Candidate of the party.
Our message was clear: Khayelitsha deserves dignity, functioning infrastructure, reliable basic services and accountable local government.
This is not simply a political talking point. The Public Protector’s Report No. 12 of 2026/27 found that complaints relating to basic municipal services in parts of Khayelitsha and Langa Flats were substantiated, including problems involving sanitation and sewer infrastructure, water access, roads, waste collection, public lighting, municipal housing and safety at clinics.
For Al Jama-ah, these findings reinforce what communities have been saying for years:
People cannot be expected to live with overflowing sewage, inadequate water, deteriorating infrastructure and unsafe public spaces while being told to simply wait.
Our manifesto response is about practical local government action:
• Repair and maintain water and sewer infrastructure.
• Improve refuse collection, roads, lighting and public spaces.
• Strengthen safety through coordinated local crime-prevention partnerships.
• Prioritise housing, clinics, recreation and community facilities where they are needed.
• Protect vulnerable communities and restore dignity.
• Ensure transparent, accountable and responsive municipal governance.
• Listen to communities before decisions are made about their neighbourhoods.
The Public Protector has also directed remedial action, including improvements to water access, long-term rehabilitation of sewer infrastructure, cleaning services and the regularisation of housing arrangements.
Our manifesto must not remain on paper. It must be measured against what people experience every day.
From Khayelitsha to Langa, from the Cape Flats to the southern suburbs, local government must work for the people.
Al Jama-ah
Serving Humanity. Rooted in Faith. United for Justice.
