IRASA Manifesto 2026

INDEPENDENT RATEPAYERS’ Association of South Africa (IRASA)

IRASA, through its independent councillors, is committed to fighting for the rights of ratepayers and residents, and to depoliticising local government in South Africa. It is our collective responsibility as ratepayers to exercise our democratic right and civic duty by acting as a watchdog over the political parties that govern our cities and towns. Ratepayers cannot take a back seat while municipalities deteriorate under the agendas and political games of these parties. It is a known fact that political party councillors must toe the party line, prioritizing their party’s agenda above the interests of the community and the ratepayers they were elected to serve. Do not waste your vote on a political party politician. Take back your power – support the ratepayers’ candidate!

IRASA will ensure that municipalities nationally are managed effectively, efficiently, transparently, and in a financially accountable manner, in accordance with the provisions of local government legislation. The independent councillors, through IRASA, will promote the fair and equitable distribution of municipal services, ensuring that service delivery is reliable, affordable, and of sustainable quality. By exercising responsible citizenship – putting the ratepayer first – IRASA will restore the dignity and service quality of cities and towns in South Africa. Strong, independent ratepayer representation can only strengthen our municipalities going forward.

IRASA HAS A TEN-POINT PLAN TO MAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORK

Root out and fight corruption wherever it is found;
Ensure quality service delivery for all residents;
Ensure clean water and a reliable electricity supply;
Provide affordable rates and value for money;
Take action on roads and repair potholes;
Fight poverty and inequality;
Empower the disadvantaged;
Create a climate for job creation and economic opportunities for all residents;
Initiate growth and development in line with the GDS 2050;
Improve the quality of life for residents through the responsible allocation of resources.

IRASA HOLDS ITS OWN REPRESENTATIVES ACCOUNTABLE

IRASA believes that accountability must begin with its own representatives. Every IRASA candidate will undergo a transparent selection and vetting process and once approved, will be recognised as an Accredited IRASA Candidate. Every elected IRASA councillor will sign a Performance Agreement, submit an annual declaration of interests, undergo annual ethics and governance training, and be measured against published Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Every IRASA ward will report annually to its residents on performance, service delivery priorities and matters affecting the community. Every elected councillor will receive an annual governance rating based on measurable standards of attendance, accountability, ethical conduct, community engagement and performance.

IRASA will not demand standards of transparency, accountability and good governance from municipalities that it is unwilling to apply to its own representatives.

The mandate voters give IRASA will not only ensure responsible local government, but it will also advance our democracy, rather than restrict it, through responsible, independent ratepayer oversight. IRASA envisions that this will improve service delivery for ratepayers and create a well-managed local government environment that can stimulate local economic development to address the economic challenges facing municipalities in South Africa.

IRASA Manifes 2026

ONAFHANKLIKE BELASTINGBETALERSVERENIGING VAN SUID-AFRIKA (IRASA)

IRASA, deur sy onafhanklike raadslede, is daartoe verbind om te veg vir die regte van belastingbetalers en inwoners, en om plaaslike regering in Suid-Afrika te de-politiseer. Dit is ons gesamentlike verantwoordelikheid as belastingbetalers om ons demokratiese reg en burgerlike plig uit te oefen deur as ‘n waghond op te tree oor die politieke partye wat ons stede en dorpe regeer. Belastingbetalers kan nie agterweë staan terwyl munisipaliteite agteruitgaan onder die agendas en politieke speletjies van hierdie partye nie. Dit is ‘n bekende feit dat politieke party-raadslede die party lyn moet volg en hul party se agenda bo die belange van die gemeenskap en die belastingbetalers wat hulle verkies is om te dien, moet prioritiseer. Moet nie jou stem mors op ‘n politieke party-politikus nie. Neem jou mag terug – ondersteun die kandidaat van die belastingbetalers!

IRASA sal verseker dat munisipaliteite nasionaal doeltreffend, doeltreffend, deursigtig en op ‘n finansieel aanspreeklike wyse bestuur word, in ooreenstemming met die bepalings van plaaslike regerings wetgewing. Die onafhanklike raadslede sal deur IRASA die regverdige en billike verspreiding van munisipale dienste bevorder, en verseker dat dienslewering betroubaar, bekostigbaar en van volhoubare gehalte is. Deur verantwoordelike burgerskap uit te oefen – met die belastingbetaler eerste – sal IRASA die waardigheid en diens gehalte van stede en dorpe in Suid-Afrika herstel. Sterk, onafhanklike tarief betaler verteenwoordiging kan net ons munisipaliteite vorentoe versterk.

IRASA HET ‘N TIENPUNTPLAN OM PLAASLIKE REGERING TE LAAT WERK

Roei korrupsie uit en beveg dit waar dit ook al gevind word;
Verseker kwaliteit dienslewering vir alle inwoners;
Verseker skoon water en ‘n betroubare elektrisiteitsvoorsiening;
Bied bekostigbare tariewe en waarde vir geld;
Neem aksie op paaie en herstel slaggate;
Beveg armoede en ongelykheid;
Bemagtig die benadeeldes;
Skep ‘n klimaat vir werkskepping en ekonomiese geleenthede vir alle inwoners;
Begin groei en ontwikkeling in lyn met die GDS 2050;
Verbeter die lewensgehalte van inwoners deur die verantwoordelike toewysing van hulpbronne.

IRASA HOU SY EIE VERTEENWOORDIGERS AANSPREEKLIK

IRASA glo dat aanspreeklikheid by sy eie verteenwoordigers moet begin. Elke IRASA-kandidaat sal ‘n deursigtige keurings- en keuringsproses ondergaan en, sodra dit goedgekeur is, as ‘n Geakkrediteerde IRASA-kandidaat erken word. Elke verkose IRASA-raadslid sal ‘n Prestasie-ooreenkoms onderteken, ‘n jaarlikse belange verklaring indien, jaarlikse etiek- en bestuur opleiding ondergaan, en gemeet word aan die hand van gepubliseerde Sleutelprestasie-aanwysers (KPI’s).

Elke IRASA-wyk sal jaarliks aan sy inwoners verslag doen oor prestasie, diensleweringsprioriteite en sake wat die gemeenskap raak. Elke verkose raadslid sal ‘n jaarlikse bestuur gradering ontvang gebaseer op meetbare standaarde van bywoning, aanspreeklikheid, etiese gedrag, gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en prestasie.

IRASA sal nie standaarde van deursigtigheid, aanspreeklikheid en goeie bestuur van munisipaliteite eis wat dit nie op sy eie verteenwoordigers wil toepas nie.

Die mandaat wat kiesers aan IRASA gee, sal nie net verantwoordelike plaaslike regering verseker nie, maar dit sal ook ons demokrasie bevorder, eerder as om dit te beperk, deur verantwoordelike, onafhanklike toesig van belastingbetalers. IRASA sien voor dat dit dienslewering vir belastingbetalers sal verbeter en ‘n goed bestuurde plaaslike regerings omgewing sal skep wat plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling kan stimuleer om die ekonomiese uitdagings wat munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika in die gesig staar, aan te spreek.