The Ward 9 by-election on Wednesday, 14 May, is your chance to send a clear message to Stellenbosch Municipality: we reject the proposed parking garage behind the town hall.
For years, Stellenbosch residents have spoken out against this ill-conceived project. Over 2 300 residents signed a petition opposing the parking garage, citing its direct conflict with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP), which both prioritise reducing car dependence rather than encouraging it.
Public participation processes reflected overwhelming opposition: 97% of participants rejected the garage plan. Opposition groups, including Young Urbanists, the Active Mobility Forum, the Stellenbosch Interest Group, and Stellenbosch Fietsry, argued that the proposal conflicts with the town’s Spatial Development Framework and IDP.
Yet, under Mayor Jeremy Fasser (as with his predecessor), the DA caucus continues to push forward, disregarding residents’ voices, sound urban planning, and long-term sustainability.
If you read former Ward 9 Councillor Zelda Dalling’s resignation letter, it becomes clear how aggressively the DA pushed the parking garage agenda. She wrote, “I experienced securing a desired caucus vote as unbecomingly coercive…” revealing how party leadership sidelined public input and pressured councillors to fall in line.
In the absence of an independent candidate, and with the DA failing to listen, spoiling your ballot is now a powerful protest. Many spoiled ballots will be a public rebuke of the DA leadership’s disregard for the community’s wishes and responsible, future-oriented urban planning.
This by-election is not business as usual. It is our chance to advocate for Stellenbosch’s future — a future of walkable spaces, sustainable mobility, and respect for democratic participation.
We call on all Ward 9 residents who oppose the parking garage to go to the polls on Wednesday, 14 May, and deliberately and proudly spoil their ballots. Let your spoiled ballot be your voice against poor planning, coercive politics, and the selling out of Stellenbosch’s character.
Defend the democratic process. Oppose coercion. Stand for Stellenbosch. Spoil your ballot.
Ward 9 residents against the proposed parking garage, via Email
