Former Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber president Loyiso Dotywana has called for yearly performance agreements to evaluate the metro's mayors instead of relying on elections. His remarks highlight ongoing governance challenges amid financial deficits and political infighting. Church leaders have also voiced frustration over the metro's collapse, demanding accountability from officials.
At a business breakfast on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Loyiso Dotywana, former president of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, advocated for a performance management agreement to assess the metro's executive mayor. He argued that key indicators, rather than elections, should determine whether a mayor stays in office. Dotywana praised the metro's assets, including skilled human resources, tourism potential, absence of malaria, fantastic beaches, and favorable weather. He also highlighted opportunities in the green economy, such as establishing a green hydrogen hub.
However, Dotywana criticized the political environment as unconducive to prosperity, with politicians focused on survival amid internal conflicts. "For them it is about survival," he said, adding, "the way things are, is not working."
The metro faces severe financial strain, recording an operating deficit of R1.58-billion in the previous financial year, which required dipping into reserves. It suffers multimillion-rand losses in electricity and water, and its auditing opinion from the Auditor-General has regressed.
Earlier this year, church leaders wrote a desperate letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa about the municipality's state. In a subsequent meeting with Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, they expressed dissatisfaction. The letter stated: "Frankly, the impression of the church leadership is that the premier and mayor do not understand the seriousness of the situation in the metro or choose to ignore the will of the people." It accused Lobishe of blaming residents for the mess due to voting patterns and painting a false picture of stability in the ANC-led coalition.
The leaders noted issues like potholes, faulty traffic lights, unpainted road markings, gang infiltration, unsecured infrastructure, under-resourced metro police, cancelled council meetings, and challenges in manufacturing industries. "Put simply, what is currently happening in Nelson Mandela Bay due to poor, self-centred political leadership is morally wrong," the letter concluded. Church leaders have since held a mass meeting with congregants and plan to educate them on voting for effective governance.
Recent actions include finalizing procurement for streetlights, with contractors starting work, and pledging R10-million to repair beaches and the main sewage treatment works. Fishwater Flats Treatment Works is now 80% operational. Businesses have bolstered safety at the beachfront but cannot act alone.
Dotywana's comments precede a visit by Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance Namane Dickson Masemola on November 18, 2025, to discuss support requests, a joint Cabinet meeting from April 16, 2025, and municipal challenges. Attendees will include the National Treasury, Department of Water and Sanitation, and others.
Since 2001, the metro has seen 13 mayors, nine since 2019, and 16 city managers since 2016, mostly acting. Former mayor Gary van Niekerk, now deputy, switched roles with Lobishe after his arrest by the Hawks on charges including cyber fraud and violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act.