[1] Van Staden was a founding member of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU).
[1] In March 2016, premier Sylvia Lucas appointed Van Staden MEC for Social Development, succeeding Mxolisa Sokatsha.
[2][3] Van Staden was not included in newly elected premier Zamani Saul's Executive Council.
He was implicated in an investigation regarding his business links to Block involving the lease of municipal properties in Upington.
These debts were written off by the Upington municipal council when Van Staden served as mayor.