GOOD Speech by Marius van Stade,
GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor
03 September 2026
GOOD Stellenbosch wishes to make its position clear following the Stellenbosch Municipal Council meeting of 25 August 2026, where GOOD abstained from voting on the proposed three-month extension of the Municipal Manager’s contract.
Our abstention must not be interpreted as support for, or confidence in, the extension.We abstained as a matter of principle because we were not satisfied that Council had been provided with sufficient clarity and assurance regarding the recruitment and selection process for a new Municipal Manager.For GOOD Stellenbosch, this is not about personalities or individuals. It is about good governance, accountability and ensuring that the municipality plans and acts timeously.
Ms Geraldine Mettler’s current contract ends on 31 December 2026. The need for an extension raises an important question: Why was the recruitment process not started earlier?Had the process commenced three months earlier, there should have been sufficient time to complete the recruitment and selection process before the expiry of the current contract. Council should not be placed in a position where a senior management contract has to be extended because a recruitment process was not progressed timeously.
GOOD TAKES ACTION.Today, GOOD Stellenbosch submitted a formal request to the Office of the Speaker calling for Council to receive a clear recruitment timetable with measurable milestones covering advertising, shortlisting, interviews, recommendation and final appointment, together with regular progress reports to Council.
In his response today, the Speaker confirmed that Council will abide by the approved Council resolution. He further confirmed that, should Council deem it necessary to extend the appointment of an Acting Municipal Manager beyond the prescribed three-month period, such an extension would require an application to, and approval by, the MEC for Local Government.
GOOD welcomes this clarification. However, we do not believe that Council should wait for the three months to expire before acting. Effective political oversight means monitoring the process now, ensuring that deadlines are met and addressing delays before they become another governance problem.
The approved three months must be used to finish the recruitment process, not to create another extension.GOOD Stellenbosch will continue to exercise strong and constructive political oversight and will hold the administration accountable for meeting the agreed milestones and completing the appointment within the approved timeframe.Three months means three months. No fourth month. No further extension.Stellenbosch residents deserve municipal leadership that is professional, transparent, accountable and focused on delivering results.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za