GOOD Statement by Marius van Stade ,
GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor
15 November 2024
The GOOD Party in Stellenbosch calls for a public debate on the latest general valuation roll for the upcoming financial years,1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029.
The Party is advocating for a reconsideration of the sharp increases in the valuation of residential properties, which we believe will place an undue burden on homeowners and residents.
Residents across Stellenbosch have raised concerns over the new property valuations received from the municipality.
The increases will lead to higher property taxes and will exclude previously qualifying homes from receiving the Life Line electricity tariff.
The Indigent Grant provided by the Stellenbosch Municipality is also linked to property value (residents who qualify for the grant receive a 100% rebate on property rates where the valuation of the property is less than R250,000).
Without adjusting the baseline for the Life Line tariff and the Indigent Grant, the most vulnerable members of our community will become overburdened with financial pressure.
In a formal request to the Stellenbosch Municipal Manager, we have emphasised the importance of transparency, public participation, and community engagement in decisions that directly affect property owners.
Individuals have until the 17th of January to lodge their complaints, but there has been no public campaign to alert property owners to the looming deadline.
The second section of the White Paper on Developmental Local Government (9 March 1998) emphasizes a vision of developmental local government, which focuses on working with local communities to find sustainable ways to meet their needs and improve their quality of life.
It urges local government to concentrate on achieving developmental outcomes, such as the provision of household infrastructure and services, the creation of liveable, integrated cities, towns, and rural areas, and the promotion of local economic development, community empowerment, and redistribution.
The GOOD Party is calling for an open and inclusive discussion on the valuation process, encouraging both property owners and municipal officials to work together to find a solution that balances the need for fair revenue collection with the financial realities of residents.
The Party is committed to ensuring that all voices are heard in this important matter and will continue to advocate for policies that support local homeowners and promote equitable and sustainable development in Stellenbosch.
Media enquiries: media@gorgood.org.za