From 2026, prospective South African pilgrims for the annual Hajj to Mecca will have to use a new online system, a change that also sees the country’s pilgrim quota more than halved. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rolling out its Direct Hajj Model through the Nusuk Hajj platform, which will replace the long-standing facilitation role of the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC).
This shift means that SAHUC will no longer serve as the country’s official Hajj Affairs office. Pilgrims will now be required to register, select, and pay for their Hajj packages directly via the Saudi-run digital platform. The new model brings South Africa in line with countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, where the system has already been implemented.
A significant consequence of this change is the reduction of South Africa’s Hajj quota from 2,500 to 1,140 pilgrims. Furthermore, the previous waiting list managed by SAHUC, which sometimes extended up to 10 years, will be invalidated. All pilgrims, including those on the old list, must reapply through the Nusuk Hajj platform when registration opens, expected in late December 2025.
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Key changes and political response
The transition to the new system introduces several major changes for pilgrims. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Costs for packages, which will range from 10 to 21 days, are expected to be higher than before, and may not include flights. Pilgrims will also lose the customised local support services previously offered by SAHUC, such as tailored spiritual, medical, and logistical assistance.
The move has prompted a political response, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) calling on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to clarify the reasons for the reduced quota and to secure a higher allocation. The DA welcomed the end of what it called SAHUC’s “monopoly,” stating the new system ensures greater transparency. The party has also demanded that SAHUC return all funds collected for the 1447 Hajj (2026) and that its official recognition be withdrawn.
Image: Travel to Makkah
