Drakenstein Municipality Budget: No Relief, No Vision

GOOD Statement by Keagen Gertse, GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip:

The GOOD Party cannot, in principle, support or vote in favour of the 2025/2026 Drakenstein Municipality budget. This budget fails to reflect the deep and growing economic hardship facing the majority of residents in Drakenstein. It is not pro-poor, and it lacks the empathy and vision required to uplift struggling communities.

The proposed tariff increases, which exceed inflation, are economically burdensome and simply unaffordable for many residents. This administration’s political and administrative leadership has shown a worrying detachment from the lived realities of ordinary people.

Rather than exploring and establishing new, sustainable sources of revenue, this budget places an unfair financial load on ratepayers. The over-reliance on service charges, particularly from electricity sales and other municipal operations, is a direct result of the Municipality’s failure to diversify its income streams.

Alarmingly, revenue from motor vehicle fines and impoundments is being considered as an alternative, a deeply unsustainable and ethically questionable approach that offers no long-term relief.

The Capex budget reveals another red flag: 76.82% of the capital budget is derived from external grants, meaning Drakenstein has little to no financial autonomy. To make up for this, the Municipality shifts the burden onto residents through draconian tariffs.

There are glaring missed opportunities to generate local economic growth and broaden the revenue base:

1. Tourism Development: Drakenstein still lacks a comprehensive, inclusive tourism development plan. After more than two decades, there remains no structured framework to empower local entrepreneurs, stimulate tourism-friendly businesses, or enable residents to benefit from the region’s rich heritage and natural assets.
2. Informal Trading Infrastructure: The last designation of trading spots for informal traders was in 2002 – over 20 years ago. This failure has stifled economic participation and left thousands without the opportunity to earn a dignified income.
3. Voëlvlei Dam Agreement: The arrangement allowing the City of Cape Town to own the Voëlvlei Dam is detrimental to the people of Drakenstein. The recent 20.6% surcharge imposed by the City on bulk water purchases forces Drakenstein to pass an additional 7.7% increase onto consumers. This agreement, which dates back as far as the 1950s, must be constitutionally challenged to prevent continued exploitation of Drakenstein’s ratepayers.

Additionally, the significant increase in residential property valuations will result in spiralling service charges. This opens the door to gentrification, displacing poorer residents and altering the social fabric of our communities.

Instead of creating enabling environments for residents to participate in the economy and improve their circumstances, the Municipality continues to tax those who are already stretched beyond their means.
For these reasons, the GOOD Party votes against the adoption of the 2025/2026 Drakenstein Municipal Budget.

GOOD Manifesto on Healthcare Access: Advocating for improved access to quality healthcare for all citizens.

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