GEORGE NEWS - "Instead of a divorce, we should probably just have gone for marriage counselling!"

With these words, Adv Gert van Niekerk of the FF Plus defused a tough question from a journalist during a press conference in front of the George City Hall on Tuesday 18 November, when the new multi-party coalition between the DA, the FF Plus and the ACDP was announced.

Former George Herald journalist Eugene Gunning tackled the elephant in the room, asking why the DA deemed the FF Plus good enough now, over a year after a very tough and public divorce.

The DA's provincial leader, Tertuis Simmers, said there is no place for egos in the current situation, and they had to think about the greater good of George. The decision to form a multi-party coalition was done on national level.

"We have learnt a lot of lessons, on both sides," said Simmers. "Leadership asked us to be humble and not egotistical, and to act in the interest of the citizens." He said the three parties have very similar values and principles.

Addressing the press, Van Niekerk said it is widely acknowledged that the George Municipality is currently facing significant governance and service delivery challenges. "The FF Plus could not remain indifferent in the face of these issues, and has therefore made this decision to serve the broader community and help address the difficulties confronting the municipality."

He said in his occupation as advocate, he has seen many reconciliations between divorcees. "It is not unusual," he said.

Van Niekerk stressed the fact that coalition government is relatively new to South Africa, and said there would be growing pains.

Celebration time! Gert van Niekerk (FF Plus), Johan du Toit (ACDP) and Tertuis Simmers (DA).

New leadership

At the same press conference, the DA announced some surprise moves in Council.

The new mayor of George is Browen Johnson of the DA, Gert van Niekerk of the FF Plus is the new deputy mayor, while the former mayor, Jackie von Brandis, is the chief whip of council. The new mayor, deputy mayor and chief whip will be inaugurated during a council meeting on Friday 21 November.

The FF Plus will hold the position of deputy mayor, mayoral committee member of planning and the Municipal Public Accounts Committee's chairperson, and the ACDP will hold the position of mayoral committee member of corporate services.

Browen Johnson (left) will be inaugurated as the new mayor of George. He is snapped here having a chat with the newly elected District Mayor Marais Kruger.

New coalition

The George DA was heading for troubled waters when three ward councillors left the party within a two-week span.

Two by-elections will take place in January, and a third in February.

The latest resignation was from Theresa Jeyi, chief whip of council, last Friday, 14 November. This followed shortly after the resignation of DA councillors Brendon Adams and Marchell Kleynhans.

Just over a year ago, in June 2024, the DA broke its coalition with the FF Plus and left it hanging. The split was sudden and took many by surprise. However, after this reunion between the two parties, the DA can now count on four votes from the FF Plus, together with one from the ACDP and 24 of its own - bringing its stronghold to 29. The current George Municipal Council has a total of 55 seats, which means 28 marks the majority.

Motion against mayor, deputy and speaker

PA Chief Whip Samuel Vorster said a Motion of No Confidence against the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and the Speaker has already been formally submitted, minutes before the announcement of the new coalition on Tuesday.

He said these announcements does nothing to change the fact that “the community has had enough, and the City Council can no longer stand by while the current leadership steers the city in the wrong direction”.

"No political manoeuvres, no last-minute coalitions, and certainly no brown face put forward for optics will deceive the people of George. The time for excuses and smokescreens is over.”

Vorster confirmed that the motion is "against whoever are holding these positions - old or new".

The PA’s statement received both criticism and applause on social media.

The motion is supported by the PA, ANC, EFF, Good and PBI.