Pic: Siyabonga Sesant
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Gary van Niekerk received a frosty welcome from his political opponents in the opposition benches during his inaugural speech in council on Wednesday.
Van Niekerk addressed a full council meeting for the first time since taking over the reins from the DA’s Retief Odendaal on Friday.
Odendaal was ousted in a motion of no confidence.
Mayor Gary van Niekerk’s mantra that ‘A Change is going to Come’ was met with boo’s and laughter during his first official speech as the city’s first citizen.
The ACDP’s Lance Grootboom took a swipe at it, saying the only change that was looming in the municipality is one of looting.
During the announcement of his mayoral committee on Tuesday, Van Niekerk said while service delivery will receive a boost all over the metro there will be a special focus on the Northern Areas, that he said had been marginalised for years.
But on Friday Grootboom also criticised this, saying the metro does not only consist of Standford Road.
During his turn, the DA’s Retief Odendaal implored the new local government of unity not to divide the metro but to equally provide for all areas.
On Tuesday Van Niekerk vowed that the performance of every single councillor – including himself – will constantly be evaluated so as to effectively address the crises affecting the metro.
Van Niekerk mentioned the municipality’s water woes, electricity challenges and a city that is stalked by a climbing crime rate.
