28/05/2026
Good day everyone,
I trust you are all doing well and that this message finds you well.
Politics has changed tremendously from the days when I was still a little boy, growing up while my father was involved in politics. I can honestly say that I was raised in a political environment. Back then, politics was largely centred around skin colour and language.
Today, the political landscape has changed completely. It is no longer about a white party, black party, coloured party, or Indian party. South Africa’s challenges affect every single one of us.
Our country is in serious trouble. BEE, AA, corruption, failing infrastructure, unemployment, and poor governance have brought South Africa to its knees. I remember mentioning on these groups not too long ago that we are still fortunate here compared to many other towns and cities where people can go weeks without water and days without electricity. Some people responded by saying they do not care what happens elsewhere because we live in Richards Bay and Empangeni, and that is where our concern should be.
At first, that response stayed with me. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised they were right.
Change starts here.It starts with us.It starts in uMhlathuze.
Over the past few weeks, I have had countless meetings, discussions, and sleepless nights doing research and evaluating every possible option. One party whose management structure is clear of any criminal records and criminal allegations stood apart. I would have loved to stand as an independent candidate, but realistically, that would require enormous financial backing and a complete ward structure across all of uMhlathuze. Perhaps one day in the future that may become possible, but right now I still have much to prove — not only to myself, but to all of you.
If this was about money, fame, or status, becoming an independent candidate would have been the easier route. But that has never been my motivation.
I started the Concerned Residents Civic Association because of my passion to serve people and to see our communities improve. At the very least, I want to see people doing okay again. Ignoring that calling would feel wrong to me. I firmly believe that true leadership begins with service.
For that reason, I carefully studied the manifestos, track records, leadership structures, and governance of all the major political parties — from local level leadership all the way to the top.
After comparing party to party, one thing became clear to me: there is only one political party that presents practical, workable solutions for South Africa’s problems while consistently standing for accountability, service delivery, community safety, infrastructure, and clean governance.
Keeping Richards Bay, Empangeni, the rural communities, and the greater uMhlathuze area in mind, I believe it would be irresponsible of me not to put my weight behind the Freedom Front Plus.
It is therefore my honour to officially announce that I will be standing as a Freedom Front Plus candidate within the uMhlathuze Municipality for the upcoming local government elections.
My mission remains exactly the same as it has always been:To help restore our communities to their former glory — and build them even better than before.
This journey is not about politics for me.It is about people.It is about accountability.It is about service delivery.It is about protecting the future of our children and restoring pride in our towns and communities.
You will be seeing a lot more of me in the months ahead, and I want every resident of uMhlathuze to know this:
I am here to listen.I am here to work.And I am here to serve you.
Together, we can rebuild uMhlathuze.
Jéan Ge**er
Freedom Front Plus Candidate uMhlathuze Municipality
