Government and accountability
National policyObjects to a first-safe-country rule denying asylum to seekers who transited elsewhere.
Compare this issue← The parties
Sikhethasikhetha.co.za
Al Jama-ah
- Leader:
- Ganief Hendricks
- Founded:
- 2007
- 2026 participation recorded
A Muslim-founded but non-sectarian party (est. 2007) rooted in values of justice, compassion and morality, championing pro-poor service delivery, land tenure for the landless and human-rights-centred governance. It has punched above its weight in Johannesburg coalition politics, twice holding the executive mayoralty from a base of only three councillors.
Where the party stands today
In the 2021 local elections Al Jama-ah won 12 council seats across 7 municipalities, mostly in KwaZulu-Natal (4), the Western Cape (4) and Gauteng (3).
Mayoral candidates in South Africa
- Shireen Ebrahim · Johannesburgsource
Beyond the quiz
Not in your match scoreWhat else do they stand for?
A match on these questions is not agreement with a party's whole programme. Here are other policies we did not ask you about.
Policies and sources
Other recorded policies from Al Jama-ah
Government and accountability
National policyReports pursuing recognition of shariah marriages through divorce-law bills.
Party statementAl Jama-ah party website (home)Marriage Bill / The Bills · Publication date not stated
Compare this issueSelected policies, not a full manifesto or ballot list. National policies are context, not powers a council can exercise on its own. Local plans can also need other agencies. Read dates and sources before deciding.
Headline pledges
Secure land ownership and permanent tenure for over one million informal-settlement residents on the plots they occupy
aljama.co.zaInstitutional restructuring and rigorous financial governance to reverse Johannesburg's fiscal and service collapse
aljama.co.zaPro-poor relief, from reducing water and electricity bills to supporting grants and funeral cover for families in need
aljama-ah.co.zaImprove water and electricity infrastructure in underserved Gauteng communities
aljama-ah.co.za
Where Al Jama-ah stands
8 of 18 positions foundClean & accountable government
Top municipal jobs, like the city manager and the head of finance, should be filled by an independent panel. Political parties should have no say in who gets them.
No stated positionThe law should stop the municipality from raising rates and service charges (water, electricity, refuse) by more than inflation each year.
Disagree"As Joburg mayor, Al Jama-ah's Gwamanda introduced/defended the R200 monthly prepaid-electricity fixed surcharge 'in the interest of fairness'; no 2025-26 Al Jama-ah statement backs an inflation cap (Gauteng site vaguely promises 'reducing bills')."
Water, electricity & tariffs
Note: The opened 11 August Johannesburg campaign statement is not a full manifesto. No newer complete 2026 municipal manifesto was located; the party press-release index was checked through 18 September. Q15 now quotes the actual 500-metre buffer and opposition to extended trading hours. The 15 July amnesty proposal gives qualifying migrants trading rights before permanent residence, newly supporting Q19 opposition to a citizens/permanent-residents-only rule. Q3 and Q20 are cleared: a fixed prepaid surcharge does not establish either opposition to a legal inflation cap or compulsory prepaid installation for every household. Q10 is cleared: support for regularisation is not opposition to checking lawful status before municipal allocations. These clearances correct unsupported earlier inferences, not documented policy reversals. Q4 remains low-confidence relief evidence from the Gauteng platform.
Parties and readers can challenge any score with a source. A person reviews every submission; accepted changes appear in the public changelog with the date and source.
Party positions were checked in September 2026 against manifestos, party statements and news reports. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Changelog →
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