GOOD Statement by Marius van Stade,
GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor and Mayoral Candidate
9 October 2026
GOOD Stellenbosch Mayoral Candidate and Councillor Marius van Stade placed housing, public safety and accountable service delivery at the centre of his contribution to the RSG News political debate at the US Woordfees on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.
The lively debate brought together representatives of GOOD, the DA, ANC, EFF and Freedom Front Plus, with an engaged audience responding strongly to the issues affecting Stellenbosch residents.
For Van Stade, these concerns are deeply personal for families waiting for homes, students worried about their safety and residents who expect reliable municipal services.
He emphasised that GOOD’s manifesto reflects the constitutional objectives of local government relating to accountable governance, sustainable service delivery, safe and healthy communities, and meaningful public participation.
“Residents deserve a municipality that listens, acts and delivers. These responsibilities must be reflected in functioning infrastructure, safer neighbourhoods and real progress on housing,” said Van Stade.
Families cannot wait years for houses.
Van Stade highlighted Stellenbosch’s housing crisis, arguing that the Municipality must prioritise suitable land it already owns while pursuing the release of land belonging to the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). He pointed to Erf 64 in Kylemore and the community’s reported wait of more than 30 years for housing delivery.
Van Stade criticised what he described as housing proposals remaining in the Municipality’s housing pipeline for years before being voted down by the DA-led Council. He argued that these decisions and prolonged delays have contributed to the continuing housing crisis.
During the debate, he cited a housing backlog of approximately 22,000 in the municipal housing pipeline and a figure exceeding 32,000 in the Western Cape housing market study.
“We must pursue the release of national land while also identifying suitable land already owned by the Municipality. Families cannot be expected to wait indefinitely for government processes to produce results,” he said.
Students and residents deserve safer communities.
Van Stade also raised concerns about reported attacks on students, asking whether students can still feel safe in Stellenbosch. He highlighted students’ appeals for a safer environment in “Stellies”; the town they call home during their studies.
“Students should be able to focus on their studies and move around their town without fear. Their concerns must be heard and followed by coordinated action to improve safety,” he said.
He further expressed concern for families whose homes have flooded, highlighting complaints about inadequate or absent stormwater infrastructure. GOOD calls for these concerns to be investigated, for affected residents to receive assistance and for preventative infrastructure to be prioritised.
Give GOOD a chance to govern.
During the debate, he cited a housing backlog of approximately 22,000 in the municipal housing pipeline and a figure exceeding 32,000 in the Western Cape housing market study.
“We must pursue the release of national land while also identifying suitable land already owned by the Municipality. Families cannot be expected to wait indefinitely for government processes to produce results,” he said.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za