By Johnathan Paoli
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the signing of a new coalition agreement with the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) as an effective step forward in restoring certainty and secure service delivery for the residents of the George Municipality.
DA Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers, making the announcement, said the agreement followed constructive, good-faith engagements aimed at stabilising the council.
“Today marks an important step forward for George Municipality and for every resident who calls George home. The DA is optimistic about the future of George and we will uphold our steadfast commitment to delivering services and good governance to residents,” Simmers said.
The agreement, finalised after weeks of negotiations, reshapes the town’s political leadership and ends months of turbulence triggered by the resignation of three DA ward councillors.
The new coalition agreement and its accompanying addendum outline shared governance principles and allocate key leadership roles among the three parties.
Under the new arrangement, the FF+ will take up several influential positions, including the Deputy Mayor’s post, the MAYCO Planning portfolio, and the chairpersonship of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).
The ACDP will assume the MAYCO Corporate Services position, further cementing its longstanding partnership with the DA in the municipality.
In a significant shift within the DA caucus, Browen Johnson, previously Deputy Mayor, will be elevated to Executive Mayor.
Jackie von Brandis, who served as mayor until recently, will move into the role of Chief Whip of Council, where she is expected to reinforce oversight, internal discipline, and stability within the caucus.
Her transition is seen as an attempt to strengthen continuity while easing tensions that have simmered inside the DA caucus.
Simmers said the final configuration was agreed upon only after consultation with DA provincial structures and the party’s local caucus leadership.
“This agreement applies only to this municipality and commits us to a stable, transparent, values-driven government for the remainder of the 2021–2026 term,” he said.
The reshuffle marks a major political turning point for George, which has experienced months of uncertainty following the resignation of three DA councillors earlier this year.
Their departure cost the DA its outright majority, forcing the party to negotiate fresh coalition support to hold onto the mayoralty and maintain control of key committees.
With backing from four FF+ councillors and its existing cooperation with the ACDP, the DA now enters the final stretch of the current term with a functional majority and a renewed mandate.
The coalition partners expressed confidence that the new leadership structure would allow the municipality to continue focusing on service delivery, infrastructure upgrades, and financial oversight without the instability that has marked recent months.
The newly appointed leadership team, Mayor Browen Johnson, Deputy Mayor Gert van Niekerk of the FF+, and Chief Whip Jackie von Brandis, will be officially inaugurated during a council meeting on Friday.
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