New Direct Hajj Model brings changes for South African pilgrims in 2026, quota reduced

THE South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has announced that it will no longer serve as the country's official Hajj Affairs office, following the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's rollout of the Direct Hajj Model via the Nusuk Hajj platform.

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The decision, communicated after months of engagement with Saudi authorities and South African stakeholders, marks the end of SAHUC's longstanding role in accrediting and facilitating Hajj for local pilgrims. From 2026, South Africans will need to register, select and secure their Hajj packages directly through the Nusuk Hajj platform.

Under the new model, South Africa's quota has been reduced to 1 140 pilgrims, compared with the previous 2,500 allocated under SAHUC. The SAHUC further announced that registration for Hajj 1447 is expected to open in late December 2025, during Rajab, and said all pilgrims, including those on SAHUC's waiting list, will now have to reapply through the Nusuk system, as the previous waiting list of up to 10 years will no longer be valid.