Today is about a simple idea that our towns and cities deserve councils led by ethical, capable people who actually live among us.

People who know our streets, our schools, our clinics, because they use them too.

That's the standard GOOD and RISE Mzansi are setting together as we go into these local government elections in partnership.

And it's the standard the leaders you're about to meet were chosen against.

Our vision for better towns

We don't just want to fix what's broken.

We want to build something better.

It starts with affordability.

Rates and tariffs that consider what a household can actually afford, not just what a property is worth on paper.

Protecting people's basic services - water, electricity - from being cut off over debts that were never theirs.

Making sure the transport we already run gets used, and used affordably.

It means finally becoming towns where people are properly housed.

Building what has already been promised and paid for, instead of letting housing budgets go unspent while families wait.

Using public land for housing, clinics and community facilities - not selling it off for someone else's profit.

Upgrading informal settlements in place, in consultation with the people who live there, rather than managing decline from a distance.

It means one standard for every community, not two.

The same quality of streets, lighting, parks and emergency response, whether you live in the wealthiest suburb or the poorest township.

No more places where potholes wait months and others wait hours.

It means confronting crime at its roots, not just its symptoms.

Real power for local structures over community budgets, real transparency in how decisions get made, and real accountability instead of box-ticking consultation.

And it means building towns that work economically, not just administratively.

Local jobs from local economies, support for small and informal businesses, and procurement that builds up local workers instead of ticking a compliance box.

That is what we mean when we say we want better towns.

That means honest, competent local government - coalition or otherwise.

Where councillors serve their communities first, and factional interests last.

And to finally deliver the combination of affordable and fully subsidised housing that hundreds of thousands of Western Cape families are still waiting for.

Each candidate will sign a public pledge, right here, as follows:

"I acknowledge that being elected to public office is a privilege, and that this privilege carries with it a responsibility to serve with integrity, to act ethically, and to remain available to the people I represent.

1. I will never enrich myself through public office, and I will not commit, permit or tolerate corruption in any form.

2. I will serve every resident of this municipality, regardless of their political affiliation.

3. I accept that failing to serve with integrity, or failing to honour these commitments, will result in being subject to GOOD's party discipline, including removal from office."             

GOOD Western Cape Mayoral Candidates: 

Ricardo Winston van der Merwe | West Coast District Municipality | Mayoral Committee Member for Infrastructure and Planning Services

Brings more than 20 years of senior operational leadership and has helped advance housing and essential infrastructure, including the handover of 86 homes in Louwville.

Thyrone Williams | Saldanha Bay Municipality | Executive Deputy Mayor

Offers executive and coalition leadership experience, with a strong record of championing fishing communities, fair services, accountable spending and local jobs.

Marius van Stade | Stellenbosch Municipality | Councillor and Municipal Whip

Has led rigorous oversight on municipal land, assets and public spending while advancing community concerns on flooding, traffic, safety, housing and local traders.

Hubert Titus | Breede Valley Municipality | MPAC Chairperson

Has strengthened municipal oversight and accountability since 2021, backed by decades of management experience and deep community leadership in Ward 12.

Keagen Gertse | Drakenstein Municipality | Councillor and GOOD Caucus Leader

Brings tested council leadership, youth advocacy and cross-party credibility, having secured 27 votes in the April 2024 Executive Mayor election.

Patricia Dixon | Swartland Municipality | Public-administration and governance leader

Offers more than 15 years of parliamentary experience in budgeting, procurement oversight, compliance, stakeholder engagement and national campaign operations.

Alderman Cynthia Manel Clayton | Theewaterskloof Municipality | Executive Deputy Mayor

Leads work on financial recovery, investment and service delivery, with nearly two decades of municipal experience across executive and portfolio roles.

Chantelle Kyd | George Municipality | Councillor and former Mayoral Committee Member for Planning and Development

Brings executive planning experience and a strong accountability record, including demanding transparency on public safety, rates, tariffs and municipal billing.

Cllr Ashwill Oktober | Oudtshoorn Municipality | Chairperson of the Community Services Committee

Has championed essential services, supported law-enforcement officers and firefighters, and placed ethical governance ahead of political convenience.

Cllr Katriena “Trienie” Robyn | Witzenberg Municipality | Executive Mayor

A former Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member, she has led coalition government, defended clean governance and prioritised stable administration and improved services.

Weldon Wells | Overberg District Municipality | Speaker of the Theewaterskloof Council

Uses his role to strengthen lawful, fair and accountable council processes, bringing 17 years of experience as an educator and deep rural community roots.

Andile Nkulana | Knysna Municipality | Community and youth leader

Brings extensive electoral, organisational and civic experience focused on community safety, youth opportunity, public participation and inclusive development.

Cecil Williams | Cape Agulhas Municipality | Community safety and veteran-support leader

Offers 34 years of police and defence service, alongside practical leadership in veteran support, pastoral care, youth development and community safety partnerships.

Christolino Perel | Kannaland Municipality | Agriculture, tourism and small-business advocate

Combines agricultural expertise, entrepreneurship and tourism experience with a plan to grow agritourism, agro-processing, skills and rural jobs.

Rosa Louw | Garden Route District Municipality | Former MPAC Chairperson

Has challenged irregular spending and questionable procurement, defended public assets and advocated for vulnerable residents, infrastructure and water security.

Cllr Evert Manuel | Bergrivier Municipality | Councillor and community leader

Has championed disadvantaged communities, fair service delivery and responsible public spending while connecting residents with municipal structures.

Grechard Aldough Petersen | Cape Winelands District Municipality | Councillor and GOOD Caucus Leader in Stellenbosch

Combines municipal oversight with decades of leadership in education, conservation and environmental management, promoting sustainable and accountable development.

Magdelena Gertse | Langeberg Municipality | Proportional Representation Councillor

Pairs council leadership with direct community service, including a daily soup kitchen and support for women affected by abuse and people seeking rehabilitation.

Heather Pieters | Matzikama Municipality | Councillor

A trusted public representative known for practical problem-solving, support for vulnerable families and building stronger links between communities and local government.