Garden Route First (GR FIRST), in vennootskap met die Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA), nooi etiese, bekwame en gemeenskapsgerigte leiers uit om aansoek te doen om as Onafhanklike Raadslid kandidate te staan in die Plaaslike Regeringsverkiesing op 4 November 2026.

Hierdie geleentheid is geskik vir individue wat integriteit, kundigheid en 'n opregte verbintenis tot deursigtige, inklusiewe en verantwoordbare plaaslike regering toon.

Wie Ons Soek

Ons verwelkom aansoeke van individue wat:

•    Etiese leierskap en respek vir alle inwoners handhaaf
•    Goeie oordeel, professionaliteit en gemeenskapsbelang eerste stel
•    Toegewyd is aan deursigtige, wettige en verantwoordbare bestuur
•    Die verantwoordelikhede van raadslede ingevolge die Wet op Munisipale Strukture, Wet op Munisipale
Stelsels en die MFMA verstaan
•    Onafhanklik van party-politiek kan werk terwyl hulle die gemeenskap met integriteit dien
•    In staat is om konstruktief met inwoners, belanghebbendes en munisipale strukture te skakel

Waar Onafhanklike Kandidate Ondersteun Sal Word

GR FIRST en IRASA sal slegs in wyke en dorpe binne die Tuinroete Distrik deelneem waar gemeenskappe formeel belangstelling toon om 'n Onafhanklike Kandidaat te ondersteun.

In Knysna, waar onafhanklike verteenwoordiging reeds bestaan deur KIM en Choose CX, sal GR FIRST hierdie bewegings ondersteun eerder as om pogings te dupliseer.

Vereistes vir Veldtogbefondsing

Onafhanklike kandidate moet hul eie veldtogbefondsing kan verkry en bestuur in ooreenstemming met OVK regulasies.

Tipiese veldtogbegrotings wissel tussen R15 000 en R50 000+ per wyk, afhangend van veldtogintensiteit en plaaslike omstandighede.

Alle fondse moet:

•    Wettig ingesamel en bestee word
•    Verklaar word soos deur die OVK vereis
•    Uitsluitlik vir die wyk aangewend word waarin die kandidaat staan

GR FIRST sal riglyne, nakomingsondersteuning en strategiese hulp bied, maar kandidate bly verantwoordelik vir hul eie veldtogfinansiering.

Hoe om Aansoek te Doen

Indien jy oorweeg om as Onafhanklike Raadslid kandidaat te staan, registreer asseblief by:

Applications Councillors – Garden Route Independent Councillors: Applications

Sluitingsdatum: 24 Mei 2026

Sodra jou aansoek ontvang is, sal ons 'n vergadering reël om die volgende te bespreek:

•    Die keurings- en verifikasieproses
•    OVK tydlyne en nakomingsvereistes
•    Veldtogverwagtinge en gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid
•    Volgende stappe in die kandidaat gereedheidsproses

Meer oor GR FIRST

GR FIRST werk vir 'n Tuinroete waar:

•    Regering deursigtig en aanspreeklik is
•    Gemeenskappe gehoor en gerespekteer word
•    Openbare fondse verantwoordelik bestuur word
•    Raadslede mense dien — nie politieke partye nie

Vir meer inligting, besoek ons webblad of kontak ons direk.

Kontak

E-pos: admin@grfirst.org.za
WhatsApp: 082 453 5840

Mense Eerste — Deur Deursigtige, Inklusiewe, Onafhanklike Bestuur

Dennis Farrell
Interim Uitvoerende Komiteelid
Garden Route First (GR FIRST)

Garden Route First (GR FIRST), in alliance with the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA), invites ethical, capable, community centred leaders to apply to stand as Independent Councillor Candidates in the 2026 Local Government Elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

This opportunity is suited to individuals who demonstrate integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to transparent, inclusive, and accountable local governance.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals who:

•    Uphold ethical leadership, fairness, and respect for all residents
•    Demonstrate sound judgement, professionalism, and community centred decision making
•    Are committed to transparent, lawful, and accountable governance
•    Understand the responsibilities of councillors under the Municipal Structures Act, Municipal Systems Act, and MFMA
•    Are willing to work independently of party politics while serving the community with integrity
•    Can engage constructively with residents, stakeholders, and municipal structures

Where Independent Candidates Will Be Supported

GR FIRST and IRASA will contest only in wards and towns within the Garden Route District where communities have formally indicated support for an Independent Candidate.
In Knysna, where independent representation already exists through KIM and Choose CX, GR FIRST will continue to support those movements rather than duplicate efforts.

Campaign Funding Requirements

Independent candidates must be able to secure and manage their own campaign funding in line with IEC regulations.

Typical campaign budgets range from R15 000 to R50 000+ per ward, depending on campaign intensity and local conditions.

All funds must be:

•    Raised and used lawfully,
•    Declared in accordance with IEC requirements, and
•    Dedicated solely to the ward in which the candidate stands.

GR FIRST will provide guidance, templates, compliance support, and strategic assistance, but candidates remain responsible for their own campaign financing.

How to Apply

If you wish to be considered as an Independent Councillor Candidate, please register at:

Applications Councillors – Garden Route Independent Councillors: Applications

Deadline: 24 May 2026

Once your application is received, we will schedule a meeting to discuss:

•    The selection and vetting process
•    IEC timelines and compliance requirements
•    Campaign expectations and community engagement standards
•    Next steps in the candidate readiness pathway

About GR FIRST

GR FIRST is committed to building a Garden Route where:

•    Governance is transparent and accountable
•    Communities are heard and respected
•    Public money is used responsibly
•    Councillors serve people, not political parties

For more information, please visit our website or contact us directly.

Contact
Email: admin@grfirst.org.za
WhatsApp: 082 453 5840
Putting People First — Through Transparent, Inclusive, Independent Governance
Dennis Farrell
Interim Executive Committee Member
Garden Route First (GR FIRST)

Strengthening Ethical, Transparent, Community Centred Governance

Garden Route First (GR FIRST) is building a governance model rooted in ethical leadership, transparent administration, community stewardship, and non partisan decision making.
To support councillors and ensure effective community centred governance, GR FIRST appoints Officials — skilled individuals who provide administrative, operational, and organisational support across all local chapters.

Officials are not political candidates.
They are the backbone of the movement's governance, compliance, coordination, and community engagement systems.

What Is a GR FIRST Official?

A GR FIRST Official is a values-driven administrative leader who supports councillors, community structures, and organisational processes.

Officials ensure that:

•    Governance is transparent and compliant
•    Community participation is meaningful
•    Councillors are supported with accurate information
•    Structures operate efficiently and ethically
•    Funds are raised and managed responsibly
•    Campaigns and civic education initiatives are well organised

Officials operate under the GR FIRST Constitution, the Code of Ethics, and the Community Stewardship Standard, and are accountable to the Executive Committee (EXCO) and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).

Why Officials Matter

Councillors cannot deliver accountable, community centred governance alone.

Officials ensure:

•    Administrative continuity
•    Professional coordination
•    Compliance with legislation
•    Transparent financial management
•    Effective community engagement
•    Organisational stability
•    Ethical stewardship of resources

This structure allows councillors to focus on oversight, service delivery monitoring, and community representation, while officials manage the operational engine that keeps GR FIRST functioning.

Important Note on Official Roles

All GR FIRST Official positions are non remunerated volunteer roles. Officials serve as part of GR FIRST's commitment to transparent, ethical, community centred governance, and their contribution is recognised as voluntary public service.

These roles will be reviewed after the 2026 Local Government Elections, once the organisational structure, operational needs, and governance responsibilities of each Local Chapter and the District are reassessed.

Because each municipality has different capacities and community needs, Local Chapters may appoint officials in combinations of roles, rather than one person per role. For example:

•    A single Official may fulfil both Administration and Community Engagement functions
•    A Chapter may combine Finance and Fundraising responsibilities
•    Smaller Chapters may share certain Officials at District level
•    Larger Chapters may require multiple Officials in the same category

This flexible structure ensures that GR FIRST remains efficient, compliant, and community responsive, while maintaining the highest standards of ethical governance.

Key Administrative Officials Required

Below is the recommended structure for GR FIRST's administrative and governance support team.
These roles can be filled at Local Chapter, Municipal, or District level depending on capacity.

1. Chapter Administrator / Secretariat Officer

Coordinates all administrative functions of the Local Chapter.

Responsibilities:

•    Meeting coordination and minute taking
•    Document management
•    Member records
•    Communication with councillors and EXCO
•    Maintaining compliance registers

2. Governance & Compliance Officer

Ensures adherence to legislation, the Constitution, and internal governance standards.

Responsibilities:

•    Monitoring compliance with the Municipal Systems Act, MFMA, and Code of Conduct
•    Supporting councillors with legislative interpretation
•    Ensuring transparency and reporting obligations are met
•    Maintaining the Conflict-of-Interest Register

3. Finance & Fundraising Officer

Critical role for sustainability and election readiness.

Responsibilities:

•    Managing GR FIRST financial systems
•    Ensuring compliance with the Political Party Funding Act (via IRASA)
•    Coordinating fundraising campaigns
•    Managing donations and financial reporting
•    Raising funds for:
  o    IEC nomination deposits
  o    Campaign materials
  o    Community engagement activities
•    Ensuring transparent, audited financial processes

4. Community Engagement & Participation Officer

Supports GR FIRST's commitment to participatory democracy.

Responsibilities:

•    Organising ward forums and public meetings
•    Managing community feedback channels
•    Supporting councillors with quarterly reporting
•    Ensuring inclusion of youth, women, rural communities, and vulnerable groups

5. Communications & Media Officer

Ensures clear, accurate, values aligned communication.

Responsibilities:

•    Managing website, social media, and public updates
•    Preparing community notices and educational materials
•    Ensuring messaging aligns with GR FIRST values and legal requirements
•    Supporting councillors with public communication

6. Campaign Coordination Officer

Supports lawful, ethical, community centred campaigning.

Responsibilities:

•    Coordinating volunteer teams
•    Managing logistics for community outreach
•    Supporting councillors with issue based messaging
•    Ensuring compliance with IEC regulations
•    Coordinating fundraising for campaign activities

7. Training & Development Officer

Ensures councillors and officials are equipped with the necessary skills.

Responsibilities:

•    Coordinating GR FIRST induction
•    Organising IRASA MFMA and oversight training
•    Managing annual refresher courses
•    Supporting capacity building across chapters

8. Data & Research Officer

Provides evidence based insights for councillors and officials.

Responsibilities:

•    Analysing service delivery data
•    Monitoring municipal performance reports
•    Supporting councillors with research for oversight
•    Maintaining demographic and ward level data

Who Should Apply to Be an Official?

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals who:

•    Believe in ethical, transparent, community centred governance
•    Have administrative, financial, organisational, or communication skills
•    Are committed to GR FIRST values
•    Want to strengthen local democracy and community participation
•    Can support councillors with professionalism and integrity
•    Understand that these roles are non political and service oriented

Important Notes

•    Officials are not political candidates.
•    Officials do not appear on the ballot.
•    Officials support councillors, EXCO, RCC, and community structures.
•    Officials may assist with fundraising, IEC nomination support, and campaign logistics, but must comply with all legal and ethical requirements.
•    All officials must sign the GR FIRST Code of Ethics and the Confidentiality & Stewardship Agreement.

Summary

GR FIRST Officials are the administrative and governance backbone of the movement.
They ensure that councillors are supported, communities are engaged, finances are transparent, and governance is ethical, lawful, and community centred.

If you believe in transparent governance, ethical leadership, and community stewardship, you are invited to express interest in serving as a GR FIRST Official.

Documents to be Stored:

Proof that the party is already registered with the IEC, party
constitution, party registration certificate or confirmation, authorised
representative details, logo files, and core IEC party documents.

Ethical Leadership • Independent Governance • Community Stewardship

Garden Route First (GR FIRST) is inviting expressions of interest from residents who wish to be considered for Ward Councillor or Proportional Representation (PR) Councillor roles for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

This process is grounded in the GR FIRST Constitution, Code of Ethics, Councillor Handbook, and the 2026 Candidate Pack, and reflects our commitment to transparent, inclusive, independent governance.

This is not a job advertisement. It is an opportunity to serve your community with integrity, uphold constitutional values, and strengthen accountable local governance.

Who We Are

GR FIRST is a values driven civic movement committed to:

•    Ethical leadership
•    Transparent, lawful governance
•    Sustainable service delivery
•    Environmental and resource stewardship
•    Community participation and co governance
•    Non partisan, community centred decision making

Through an electoral cooperation agreement with the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA), GR FIRST may contest the 2026 Local Government Elections under the IRASA banner while retaining full organisational autonomy, values, and candidate nominating authority.

What This Application Is — and Is Not

This is an expression of interest for potential nomination.

It is not:

•    A guarantee of candidacy
•    A political job posting
•    A promise of election participation
•    A recruitment drive for paid positions

It is:

•    A values based leadership pathway
•    A community stewardship commitment
•    A constitutional and ethical responsibility
•    A transparent, merit based selection process

Mandatory Vetting Process

All applicants will undergo a formal, multi stage vetting process, which includes:

•    Verification of membership in good standing
•    Background and integrity checks
•    Community consultation (for Ward candidates)
•    Screening by the Elections & Campaigns Subcommittee
•    Interviews
•    EXCO recommendation
•    General Assembly approval
•    Submission to IRASA for IEC nomination (if applicable)

This process is required by the Candidate Pack, Councillor Code of Conduct, and Councillor Handbook.

Conditional Nomination

Your application is conditional on:

1.    GR FIRST formally resolving to contest the 2026 Local Government Elections, and
2.    Doing so under the IRASA banner, in line with the Electoral Cooperation Agreement.

If GR FIRST does not contest the election, or if alliance conditions change, applications may be paused or withdrawn.

What It Means to Serve

Councillors under the GR FIRST × IRASA alliance commit to:

•    Acting lawfully, honestly, and transparently
•    Serving residents—not political parties or factions
•    Upholding the Constitution and all municipal legislation
•    Ensuring IDPs, budgets, and decisions reflect community needs
•    Protecting municipal finances through MFMA aligned oversight
•    Safeguarding environmental and infrastructure carrying capacity
•    Reporting back to communities every quarter
•    Maintaining visible, accessible, accountable leadership

This is public service, rooted in stewardship, dignity, and responsibility.

Begin Your Expression of Interest

If you believe in ethical governance, transparent decision making, and community centred leadership, we invite you to submit your expression of interest.

You will be asked to:

•    Provide personal and eligibility information
•    Upload required documents
•    Confirm your commitment to GR FIRST values
•    Acknowledge the vetting and conditional nomination process

Together, we can build a Garden Route that is revitalised, reimagined, and regenerated—where governance is ethical, services are reliable, and communities flourish.

IEC Candidate and Official Document Folder Checklist.pdf123

Recommended main folder order:

Folder No    Main folder name   

01               Party Registration
02               Election Timetable
03               Municipality Files   
04               Ward Candidate Files
05               Ward Official Files
06               Party Agent Files
07               Proof of Payments and Submission Receipts
08               ID, Photos and Compliance Backups