Resumé:
Adriaan van Jaarsveld Adriaan van Jaarsveld is a Chartered Accountant (SA) with extensive international financial leadership experience across Africa and the UK. His career includes CFO, Financial Director, and senior risk-control roles in JSE-listed and multinational organisations. He brings strong governance capability, deep IFRS/US GAAP expertise, treasury management, statutory reporting, and SOX-aligned risk oversight—critical for municipal financial integrity. His achievements include listing PLG on the JSE, repatriating multimillion-dollar funds from African jurisdictions, resolving major audit and pension liabilities, and leading financial operations Page 5 of 16 across nine countries. He has served on multiple Boards, demonstrating fiduciary discipline, strategic planning competence, and stakeholder accountability. His background aligns strongly with GR FIRST's requirements for ethical leadership, transparent financial management, and evidence-based decision-making.

Contact Details:
E-mail: riaanvanj@irasa.org.za
Mobile: 082 782 2484

RÉSUMÉ
JH (Henk) Cloete is an accomplished executive, operations leader, and governance specialist with more than 30 years of experience spanning organisational leadership, business operations, policing, public safety, human resources, training and development, risk management, and institutional compliance. A former SAPS Detective Captain and Commanding Officer, his career combines disciplined operational leadership with extensive senior management and executive experience in the private and non-profit sectors. He has served as CEO and senior executive of multiple organisations, where he developed and implemented governance frameworks, quality-management systems, organisational policies, risk-based operational strategies, and business improvement initiatives. His experience includes managing complex projects, regulatory and institutional compliance, stakeholder relationships, and large-scale HR and organisational audits involving more than 17,000 employee records. Henk has worked extensively with private businesses, employers, training institutions, SETAs, industry stakeholders, and public-sector organisations, giving him a practical understanding of the interface between business, governance, regulation, and service delivery. His background in policing and public safety further provides a strong foundation in investigation, intelligence, risk assessment, crisis management, and multi-agency coordination. He is recognised for his disciplined, systems-driven leadership approach, strong ethical grounding, analytical thinking, and ability to identify weaknesses, establish effective systems, and stabilise and transform complex operational environments.

Contact Details:
E-mail: henk.c@irasa.org.za
Mobile: 074 662 6190

Resumé:
Gys van Staden is a highly experienced former Senior Officer in the South African Air Force, serving 27+ years in operations, SHERQ management, disaster risk management, and occupational health and safety. As a Major and Base SHERQ Manager, he oversaw compliance for 950+ personnel and a residential area of 2,000 residents, including water purification and sanitation systems. He is a registered Facilitator, Assessor, and Moderator with MERSETA, QCTO, TETA, and NOSA. His background includes project management, media liaison, IT oversight, event safety, and community-level emergency planning. Gys v Staden  embodies GR FIRST's values of discipline, integrity, and community stewardship. His operational leadership, regulatory compliance expertise, and risk-management capability make him a strong candidate for councillor roles requiring oversight of safety, infrastructure, environmental compliance, and community resilience.

Contact Details:
E-mail: gys.vs@irasa.org.za
Mobile: 082 928 6142

Follow the 6 Steps to find your Counsellor:

Locate the Municipality Button and Click
Find your Municipality

Now Scroll Down to Find your Ward, Click on your ward

The Problem Recording Stages and Ward Counselor on the Bottom

Click on the Counselor on the Bottom to View

Go to the Website: www.eden-movement.co.za

In The Republic (347c–d), Plato famously asserts that "one of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

The Penalty of Apathy Plato's Republic and the IRASA Model for South African Municipalities.pdf

English Report:

Theuns Smith decided to take a look at the DA's ministers. Date 2026-05-18.pdf

Afrikaanse Verslag:

Theuns Smith besluit om na die DA se ministers te kyk. Datum 2026-05-18.docx

Contact Details:
Mobile: 0813777517
Email:  julianachristelle@hotmail.com

Resumé:
Juliana Coetzee is an experienced professional with a background in
physiotherapy, disability services, community support, and administrative management. With a
BSc in Physiotherapy and 25 years of service at Paarl School for the Disabled, she has extensive
experience working with vulnerable groups, managing departmental administration, and
supporting multidisciplinary teams. Her work in sport for the disabled and community-based
programmes reflects strong commitment to inclusivity, social development, and resident
wellbeing. Since relocating to the Garden Route, she has managed a small business and
currently performs administrative and digital-marketing work, demonstrating adaptability,
organisational capability, and community engagement. Juliana's strengths include empathy,
communication, administrative accuracy, and service-oriented problem-solving. She is ideally
suited for non-partisan support roles requiring professionalism, compassion, and strong
organisational discipline.

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)

Contact details:
Mobile: 0627768208
Email:  maritzmadeleine@gmail.com

Resumé:
 Madeleine Maritz is a friendly, reliable, and adaptable support
professional with experience in caregiving, kitchen operations, after-school supervision, and
general office administration. She has worked in private home-care environments, restaurants,
and childcare facilities, gaining experience in cleaning, cooking, child supervision, filing,
photocopying, and basic administrative tasks. Madeleine is bilingual in Afrikaans and English
and is known for her helpful nature and strong interpersonal skills. She is able to work
independently or as part of a team and adapts easily to new environments. Her strengths
include empathy, communication, reliability, and attention to detail. Madeleine is well-suited
for Support & Admin roles requiring resident interaction, basic administration, and operational
assistance.