After a dramatic departure from the ANC, going as far as to contest the 2021 local government elections under a different banner, anti-apartheid activist Mike Xego has returned to his political home.
Crucial projects for some of the city’s poorest areas were sidelined while others gained more funding as the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality rejigged the 2023/2024 budget on a day that culminated in a fiery exchange between councillors.
In a day of high drama, where it emerged that two Patriotic Alliance councillors had received death threats warning them against supporting a move to oust mayor Gary van Niekerk, the Nelson Mandela Bay council placed city boss Noxolo Nqwazi on precautionary suspension yet again.
Residents and visitors to Nelson Mandela Bay will be left high and dry this summer season, with the majority of municipal swimming pools having to remain shut because the facilities are dilapidated, with some in a state of disrepair.
The UDM intends being picky with its partners before the 2024 national elections as the party president, Bantu Holomisa, is willing to go into coalitions only with political parties that will commit to focus on fixing the country’s problems.