DA’s Theo Venter announces “A JB Marks that Works” campaign, pledging complete 34-Ward tour

Note to editors: A previous version of this statement included the wrong number of wards. The below speech extract was delivered by Prof Theo Venter at the launch of the DA's JB Marks campaign theme for the 2026 local government election in Potchefstroom

It gives me great pleasure today to announce the DA's campaign theme, 'A JB Marks that works', as we move closer to this year's crucial local government elections (see photos here, here, and here).

I dedicate my full commitment to elevate this election campaign to restore effective governance, improve service delivery, and to rebuild public confidence in the municipality.

As part of this campaign, I will engage directly with residents across all 34 wards in JB Marks, to listen to their concerns and to identify real solutions to get JB marks working again and incorporate these into a comprehensive manifesto that will guide the DA's programme of action when elected into government.

Residents throughout JB Marks continue to face severe challenges caused by the collapse of local government, the deterioration of municipal services, and rampant financial mismanagement and corruption.

Over many years I have seen how residents continue to endure service delivery failures, especially extended water supply disruptions, raw sewage polluting communities and the environment.

Residents must navigate deteriorating roads, potholes get bigger and multiply with each passing day, broken streetlights create dangerous environments where crime flourish under the cover of darkness, parks and public spaces are neglected.

These service delivery problems show that there is not a culture of infrastructure maintenance under the current ANC-led municipal Council. This must change, and only the DA in government can change it.

Over many years Potchefstroom was mismanaged to the extent it finds itself today, a broken municipality.

Only a DA-led government can restore JB Marks to an aspirational city, a thriving university town characterised by clean streets, reliable service delivery, and strong economic prospects.

There is so much potential in JB Marks. It will take a DA-led government that is willing to partner with key stakeholders in JB Marks.

Strengthening the relationship between the North-West University (NWU) and the municipality is a key priority for the DA, specifically to address traffic management around the campus, the maintenance of key access roads to the university, and improved municipal by-law enforcement related to student housing in surrounding neighbourhoods.

Established sports infrastructure in JB Marks also presents significant opportunities for tourism and economic growth. However, poor maintenance of facilities and access roads, along with rising crime, is undermining the municipality's ability to fully benefit from these opportunities.

Crucially, attention must be given to maximise local economic development and growth to create jobs, so that all JB marks residents can access opportunity and prosper. Here a responsible and innovative DA-led government will partner with the business sector to get JB Marks residents working.

Service delivery will remain the DA's central focus. Because it is only through quality basic service delivery and infrastructure maintenance, clean governance and transparency that we will get JB Marks working.

JB Marks residents, from Ikageng to Tshing, Potchefstroom to Ventersdorp, continue to experience persistent water and sanitation failures, including sewage spillages into residential areas and slow municipal response times.

The DA's plan for "A JB Marks that works" will prioritise practical solutions to restore basic municipal functionality, with the input and participation of residents, business owners, the university and NGOs, as part of a whole of society approach.

The DA's vision is to restore JB Marks as a city of opportunity, growth, and good governance; a municipality where corruption is rooted out, services function properly, and the voices of residents are heard.

The DA believes JB Marks can once again become one of the leading growth centres in the North West, offering economic opportunity, quality services, and a safe and attractive environment for all residents.

The DA calls on residents to support this vision and work together to build a JB Marks that works for everyone. Over the coming months, I will engage every community throughout JB Marks to craft a manifesto of service delivery that every resident can believe in, can trust and vote for.

Let's join hands and get JB Marks working again.