Al Jama-ah

Al Jama-ah is a South African political party founded in 2007. The party's name means 'the community' or 'the congregation' in Arabic, reflecting its roots in representing Muslim community interests, though it positions itself as a nonracial party open to all South Africans. Al Jama-ah is led by Ganief Hendricks, who serves as the party's president and has been its public face since its inception. The party contests elections at national, provincial and municipal levels, with its strongest support base in the Western Cape, particularly in areas with significant Muslim populations. Al Jama-ah has secured representation in the National Assembly and has participated in coalition governments at municipal level, including in major metropolitan councils. The party's policy platform emphasises social justice, anticorruption, service delivery and moral governance, drawing on Islamic principles whilst advocating for the rights of all marginalised communities. In coalition negotiations, Al Jama-ah has often played a kingmaker role, particularly in hung councils where neither the African National Congress nor the Democratic Alliance commands an outright majority. The party has been involved in coalition arrangements in cities including Johannesburg, where it has negotiated support for mayoral candidates in exchange for policy commitments and executive positions. Al Jama-ah's influence in South African politics has grown as coalition governments have become more common following the decline in support for dominant parties.