The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has announced a significant shift in how Hajj will be facilitated for South African pilgrims during the 1447 AH/2026 pilgrimage season. This comes in response to a new operational framework introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which effectively removes local licensed travel operators from the traditional Hajj facilitation model.
Speaking to VOC News, SAHUC board member Shaheen Essop confirmed that the changes are part of a broader restructuring effort by Saudi authorities aimed at streamlining the organisation of Hajj for countries with fewer than 5,000 pilgrims.
“What the ministry has basically done is indicate that the Saudi-based service provider company, together with the country’s Hajj mission, will now manage and organise all aspects of the Hajj experience for pilgrims from countries like South Africa,” said Essop.
Under the new system, all service contracts, including those for accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, lodging in Azizia, catering, transportation, and on-the-ground logistics, will be signed directly between Saudi providers and the South African Hajj mission. This eliminates the traditional role of local Hajj operators, shifting those responsibilities to SAHUC in collaboration with the designated Saudi service company.
“The only thing that will now happen in South Africa is the packaging of services once pricing is received, along with the inclusion of airline costs. That is where SAHUC will step in to replace the role traditionally played by operators,” Essop explained.
Despite the major operational shift, Essop assured that the quality of service delivery would not be compromised.
“On the ground, we will still have mission workers and Khadims (attendants) to lead pilgrims during Ziyarahs (visits) and the rites of Hajj. We are now reaching out to individuals and organisations who can partner with SAHUC during the pilgrimage season to maintain good standards of delivery.”
Listen to the full interview with Shaheen Essop below:
VOC News
Photo: VOCfm/Stock
