Zelna Abader

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.

Personal life Zelna Saira Abader is a Muslim.

Career In the 2024 general election Abader was elected as part of uMkhonto weSizwe's regional list for the Gauteng constituency. 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.

During Abadner's tenure in the National Assembly she has served on the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements. She is one of two Muslims women in the uMkhonto weSizwe's caucus and is a portfolio committee of uMkhonto weSizwe. She deputized Wesley Douglas as a whip for thePeace and Security Cluster of uMkhonto weSizwe.

Political positions Abader has defended the persecution of Uyghurs in China and stated that thousands of Uyghurs have joined the Islamic State. 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.

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.