Jamestown residents, a close-knit community with a rich heritage on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, are unhappy with how they are treated by the municipality.
Jamestown, also known as Webersvallei, is a tranquil settlement on the southern side of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands.
It is nestled beside the renowned Blaauwklippen Vineyards and is known for its blend of residential and agricultural landscapes.
One of the highlights of the year is the Jamestown Strawberry Festival, which draws visitors from across the province to celebrate its farming heritage.
In 2010, a heritage committee was established to preserve Jamestown’s history, restore historical buildings, and participate in local festivals.
However, despite Jamestown’s charming appeal, all is not well in the community. Many residents are unhappy with recent developments from the Stellenbosch municipality.
On Friday, 1 May 2026, the Jamestown Action Group organised a protest to hand over a memorandum to the Stellenbosch mayor.
The group is tired of municipal mismanagement, safety concerns about temporary relocation accommodation (TRA) in the area, and the loss of its heritage.
In 2010, a heritage committee was established to preserve Jamestown’s history, restore historical buildings, and participate in local festivals.
However, despite Jamestown’s charming appeal, all is not well in the community. Many residents are unhappy with recent developments from the Stellenbosch municipality.
On Friday, 1 May 2026, the Jamestown Action Group organised a protest to hand over a memorandum to the Stellenbosch mayor.
The group is tired of municipal mismanagement, safety concerns about temporary relocation accommodation (TRA) in the area, and the loss of its heritage.
BusinessTech spoke to residents at the protest, who said that they were sidelined by the Stellenbosch municipality because they are not rich.
One community member raised concerns about the pressures of rapid urban development and gentrification on Jamestown’s social fabric.
He told BusinessTech that their voices are ignored by the Stellenbosch municipality as they are considered sub-economic.
He added that their heritage and community are under attack and that they are being torn apart by decisions made by the municipality.
There is strong support for the Jamestown Action Group, with many Stellenbosch residents sharing their concerns.
However, despite this support, the Stellenbosch municipality is accused of sidelining the Jamestown community when it comes to decision-making.
A community leader said that Jamestown’s fight is everyone’s fight. “All the little towns are systematically broken down to make space for bigger complexes,” he said.
“We spoke to the Stellenbosch mayor last year. He had a few nice words about our concerns, but nothing happened.”
One community member said that they are never approached when decisions which influence them are made.
“The municipality claims that they publish the plans, but we never see them, and they never discuss these plans with us,” he said.
Another community member at the protest said that they are tired of becoming a place for squatters, which hurts the Jamestown community.
However, despite voicing their concerns, the municipality is accused of moving ahead with its plans without considering Jamestown residents.
Friday’s march substantiates that the Stellenbosch Municipality does not pay much attention to the Jamestown Action Group.
The group said that although the peaceful protest was arranged well in advance to hand over the petition to the mayor, he did not arrive.
The Jamestown Action Group said that the mayor confirmed that he would be available to accept the petition.
“He did not pitch, and neither did he send his deputy or any of his cabinet members. This is disrespect of the highest order,” the group said.
CC: BusinessTech