Zelna Abader MP | |
|---|---|
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| Assumed office 25 June 2024 | |
| Constituency | Gauteng |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | uMkhonto weSizwe |
Zelna Saira Abader is a South African politician who serves in the National Assembly of South Africa for the Gauteng constituency as a member of uMkhonto weSizwe.
In the 2024 general election Abader was elected as part of uMkhonto weSizwe's regional list for the Gauteng constituency. [1] uMkhonto weSizwe placed fourth in Gauteng,behind the African National Congress,Democratic Alliance,and Economic Freedom Fighters,winning five seats in the National Assembly of South Africa. [3]
During Abadner's tenure in the National Assembly she has served on the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements. [4] She is one of two Muslims women in the uMkhonto weSizwe's caucus [2] and is a portfolio committee of uMkhonto weSizwe. [5] She deputized Wesley Douglas as a whip for thePeace and Security Cluster of uMkhonto weSizwe. [6]
Abader has defended the persecution of Uyghurs in China and stated that thousands of Uyghurs have joined the Islamic State. [7] She has been critical of Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane's handling of housing projects,housing projects that were blocked,and allegations of corruption. [8]
Abader stated that uMkhonto weSizwe is not a Zulu nationalist party and that is appeals to people of different backgrounds. She cited Jacob Zuma's head of security reading the Al-Fatiha and An-Nasr of the Quran at a party meeting in Bela-Bela as an example of its diversity. uMkhonto weSizwe was also noted to have received a significant amount of the vote in Gauteng,which has a small Zulu population. [2]