NMB Municipality
The ANC's Babalwa Lobishe has been elected the new mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay.
She takes over from Gary van Niekerk of the National Alliance, who resigned on Thursday morning as part of an arrangement with the ANC.
The two have swapped positions with Van Niekerk now in the role of Deputy Mayor.
In a brief speech after being elected unopposed, Lobishe said she was humbled by the nomination and the responsibility bestowed on her.
She highlighted a few immediate objectives that will be undertaken by the new city leadership, and this includes addressing the aftermath of the recent floods, ensuring all power is restored to affected areas, and filling vacancies, particularly in the Metro Police.
Lobishe also said that Nelson Mandela Bay would "go aggressively" when it comes to economic development, acknowledging the Metro's abundant "endowments" were not fully exploited.
She said she would also meet with the municipal unions to ensure the workers are on board with the Municipality's objectives, while a new mayoral committee will be announced soon.
"We promise not to disappoint anyone and commit to the work of the City, nothing else," she said.
Empowered Women, Empower Women!
— Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (@NMandelaBaymuni) August 30, 2024
This evening, Nelson Mandela Bay’s Acting Executive Mayor, Cllr. Babalwa Lobishe, alongside our incredible female traffic officers, celebrated the closing of Women’s Month at the Kelway Hotel.https://t.co/5qlcbdBGUV pic.twitter.com/BQYw0X8mVi
