Apply to Serve Your Community

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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.