Ismail was previously the councillor for ward 29 in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
In 2013, she was appointed to the Ekurhuleni city council as a proportional representation (PR) councillor.
[1] Prior to the 2016 municipal elections, Ismail was chosen as the DA's candidate for ward 29 in Ekurhuleni, an area that includes Actonville.
[3] Before the 2019 general election, Ismail was ranked 13th on the DA's national list.
[6] Ismail was appointed Shadow Deputy Minister of Tourism on 21 April 2023.