CAPE TOWN, Western Cape — The Cape Muslim Congress (CMC) has set its sights on securing between 5 and 10 seats in the City of Cape Town council during the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections.
Established in 2010, the political party is entirely self-funded by its founder and leader, Yagyah Adams. Despite the high financial costs associated with running a municipal election campaign, Adams maintains that the party’s established track record of delivering on its commitments speaks to its diligence and dedication to the community.
The CMC’s core policy priorities focus on reducing the financial burden on local ratepayers, expanding affordable rental housing, and implementing a lasting solution to the city’s high crime rates. Adams envisions transforming Cape Town into a world-class global city on par with Paris, London, and New York, a vision he says can only be achieved through strict, clean governance.
“We want the best for our citizens. We want the best for our ratepayers. We want the best for the next generation,” Adams said. He positioned the CMC as a necessary watchdog in the council, ensuring that other political parties act responsibly and that municipal funds are spent efficiently. “The Cape Muslim Congress will ensure that the Capetonian citizen receives value for money,” he added, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, wasted funds, and nepotistic tenders.
To achieve its goals, the party plans to generate sustainable income streams for the city. Adams highlighted that building affordable housing for rent is a primary avenue that could significantly ease the financial strain on local ratepayers.
Addressing the critical and ongoing issue of gang violence, CMC Deputy Leader Mogamat Cader highlighted the urgent need to uplift the Cape Flats. Drawing from his personal experiences, Cader stressed the importance of political empathy and ground-level understanding.
“I grew up in Manenberg, and when I was writing my matric in 1991, I was laying on the floor studying because the gunshots were going off,” Cader explained. “It’s been so many years… and learners are still now writing in Mitchell’s Plain laying on the floor because of gunshots going off.”
Cader recalled a period of relative peace in the city during the 2010 World Cup, arguing that the current crisis requires decisive and unified action. “There is a need for political will to stop the violence in the Cape Flats, and that is something that I think can definitely be done,” he asserted.
Highlighting the party’s past achievements, Adams noted that the CMC has successfully secured land for mosques and parks, installed community lighting, and assisted various educational institutions and facilities with their municipal accounts.
As voters head to the polls this Wednesday, Adams urged the public to look past political, ideological, and theological distractions, and instead focus on tangible service delivery.
“I think that voters must ignore the political noise, the ideological noise, the theological noise, and all the other comedic acts that are taking place,” Adams advised. “Focus primarily on what service delivery took place and what did your particular political party deliver in terms of services. When it comes to that, the Cape Muslim Congress can stand proud because we’ve done what was required of us over the last few years.”
