Frequently Asked Questions: GR FIRST - IRASA Alliance

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Will Garden Route First enter alliances or coalitions with political parties after the election?

No.

Garden Route First (GR FIRST) will not enter into alliances or coalitions with political parties before or after the election.
This is a binding rule in:

  • The GR FIRST Constitution
  • The GR FIRST – IRASA Electoral Cooperation Agreement
  • The Councillor Code of Conduct
  • The Councillor Handbook

Under the agreement:

  • GR FIRST retains full caucus autonomy.
  • IRASA may not enter any coalition in the Garden Route without written approval from the GR FIRST Central Coordinating Council (CCC).
  • No GR FIRST‑nominated councillor may negotiate or enter a coalition with any political party.

This ensures that councillors remain community‑mandated, non‑partisan, and accountable to GR FIRST values, not political parties.

Understanding the GR FIRST –  IRASA Model

GR FIRST will contest the 2026 Local Government Elections under the IRASA banner, as permitted by the Electoral Cooperation Agreement.

This means:

✔ Candidates will appear on the ballot as IRASA candidates

✔ But they are nominated, vetted, trained, governed, and disciplined by GR FIRST

✔ GR FIRST controls the caucus, values, mandates, and governance decisions

✔ IRASA provides the legal electoral platform only

This is a legally recognised, non‑partisan governance model that protects councillors from national party interference while ensuring full compliance with South African municipal law.

Why GR FIRST Rejects Political Party Coalitions

South African research and Auditor‑General reports consistently show that political party interference contributes to:

  • Irregular expenditure
  • Cadre deployment
  • Procurement manipulation
  • Service delivery failures
  • Councillors prioritising party caucuses over community needs

GR FIRST was founded specifically to break this cycle.

Our governance model ensures:

  • No national party caucus
  • No party whip
  • No party discipline
  • No external political control
  • No coalition agreements with political parties

Councillors remain accountable to:

  • Their communities
  • GR FIRST values
  • The Councillor Code of Conduct
  • The GR FIRST CCC

Why This Model Still Ensures Independence From Party Politics

Even though candidates run under IRASA, they are not subject to national party structures.

This is because:

  • IRASA is an independent political party, not aligned to any national or provincial party.
  • GR FIRST nominates and vets all candidates.
  • GR FIRST controls caucus decisions and mandates.
  • IRASA cannot discipline, recall, or direct councillors without GR FIRST approval.
  • Councillors must vote according to GR FIRST values, evidence, and community mandates.

This creates a community‑centred, non‑partisan governance model.

Can IRASA force GR FIRST councillors into a coalition?

No.
The Electoral Cooperation Agreement prohibits IRASA from entering any coalition in the Garden Route without GR FIRST’s written approval.

Can a councillor elected under IRASA later join a political party?

No.
This would violate:

  • The GR FIRST Constitution
  • The Code of Conduct
  • The Councillor Handbook
  • The Electoral Cooperation Agreement

Such a councillor would lose GR FIRST endorsement and face disciplinary action.

Will GR FIRST councillors be subject to national party whips or caucuses?

No.
There is no national party caucus, no whip, and no party hierarchy.
Councillors are accountable only to:

  • Their communities
  • GR FIRST values
  • The GR FIRST CCC

Does this model comply with South African law?

Yes.
It complies with:

  • The Municipal Structures Act
  • The Municipal Systems Act
  • The MFMA
  • The Municipal Electoral Act
  • The Political Party Funding Act

It is a legally recognised model used by independent political parties across South Africa.

Will GR FIRST councillors be allowed to vote with political parties on specific issues?

Councillors may vote with or against any party on an issue‑by‑issue basis, but:

  • They may not enter formal alliances
  • They may not be bound by party caucus instructions
  • They must vote according to GR FIRST values, evidence, and community mandates

This ensures issue‑based governance, not party‑based governance.

What happens if a political party offers GR FIRST a coalition deal?

GR FIRST will decline.
The Constitution and MOA prohibit such agreements.

Summary

GR FIRST will not enter alliances or coalitions with political parties before or after the election.
Councillors will contest the election under the IRASA banner, but remain:

  • Community‑mandated
  • GR FIRST‑nominated
  • GR FIRST‑governed
  • Non‑partisan
  • Protected from political interference
  • Bound by the GR FIRST Constitution and Code of Conduct

This model ensures transparent, accountable, community‑centred governance — free from the political interference that has damaged municipalities across South Africa.