Al Jama-ah MP appointed to Pan African Parliament focus group

Al Jamah-ah Member of Parliament and party leader, Ganief Hendricks has been appointed to serve on the Pan African Parliament focus group, a key parliamentary group on international relations. Here, Hendricks (left) is pictured in conversation with President Cyril Ramaphosa during a plenary session break.

THE leader of the Al Jama-ah party and Member of Parliament (MP), Ganief Hendricks has been appointed to serve on the Pan African Parliament (PAP) focus group, a sub-structure of the Parliamentary Group on International Relations (PGIR).

Hendricks was nominated by the PGIR, and his appointment was approved by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe MapisaNqakula as well as by the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Amos Masondo. Hendricks also serves as an alternate member on the National Assembly’s international relations committee.

His appointment to the PAP focus group is described as a critical position to ensure the execution of work mandated to the PGIR. The tasks of the focus group would include developing annual work plans as well as ensuring that reports are tabled, and that resolutions and decisions made in the international arena are implemented and monitored. Regular meetings with the PGIR will also be held.

The PGIR focus groups, which are sub-structures of the PGIR, consist of core members of delegations to international parliamentary organisations. Other MPs appointed on the PAP are from the ANC, DA, EFF and ATM. The convenor of the PAP focus group is Professor Mathole Serofo Motshekga (ANC MP).

An ecstatic Hendricks said that being part of building closer relations with the African continent had always been his wish. “I have always been passionate about a united states of Africa after spending time in Libya in 1974. I hope I can advance this noble objective,” he said. Hendricks thanked the PGIR, the Speaker of National Assembly and Chairperson of NCOP for their trust in him to help carry out the mandate taken at international forums.

Al Jama-ah’s National Executive Committee spokesperson, Faizel Khan said that the party was extremely proud of its hardworking and committed leader. “Al Jama-ah leads in promoting a new Muslim civilisation for the Muslim world, where Africa’s thought leaders are at the forefront. The appointment of our president to the PAP focus group will help give the necessary impetus,” said Khan.