The Democratic Alliance has pledged to win an outright majority in Nelson Mandela Bay in upcoming local government elections to halt what it describes as coalition-induced instability. Party leaders highlighted past disruptions and contrasted them with successes in nearby areas. They emphasized unity beyond racial lines to improve service delivery.
At the Democratic Alliance's provincial congress in the Eastern Cape, leaders outlined plans to gain control of Nelson Mandela Bay municipality. Outgoing leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen described the city as suffering from 'revolving doors' of mayors and coalitions, leading to poor service delivery. He noted that the metro, meant to be the Eastern Cape's economic hub, has become 'a shadow of its former self' where basic governance fails.
Steenhuisen recalled two instances where the DA was removed from power shortly after taking office. In May 2023, mayor Retief Odendaal was ousted in a chaotic council meeting. Earlier, in 2018, mayor Athol Trollip lost a no-confidence vote after councillor Mbulelo Manyati abstained. These events, he said, prevented the DA from turning the city around, unlike the neighbouring Kouga municipality under DA leadership, which he called the best-run in the province.
Andrew Whitfield, re-elected as Eastern Cape leader, and Yusuf Cassim, re-affirmed as provincial chair, joined in the call for a majority. Whitfield praised Odendaal as the mayoral candidate who achieved the city's first unqualified audit in 12 years. He stressed basics like service delivery, job creation, safety, and anti-corruption. Kouga's success includes securing a R200-million loan for road repairs, something rare in the province.
Cassim cited internal polling showing voter fatigue with smaller parties that 'leverage their support' for personal gains, fragmenting opposition and harming governance. He observed growing public involvement in municipal affairs and unity behind the DA as the best option for change, amid new party launches ahead of elections later this year.
Steenhuisen urged voters to reject divisive politics based on race, language, or culture, arguing that South Africans are stronger united.
