The image accompanying this puff piece from the Nelson Mandela Bay ‘Communications Specialists’ refers below.
In the image we see just above the Mayors head the words ‘Cape Town’ and on the blocks behind our representatives, ‘Western Cape Government’ branding – NOWHERE in sight is any Nelson Mandela Bay branding.
So, have our august political team defected?
Maybe the cost of taking pull up banners was just too much?
Maybe our printing suppliers haven’t been paid?
Anyway – radio silence from the ‘Communication Specialists’ at NMB hereby fails to convince ratepayers of the effectiveness of Lobishe’s trip to ‘get more investment’ from Angola into Nelson Mandela Bay. Especially when views with the backdrop above.
As it is this is how the NMB Communications Department reported on Lobishe’s trip away from the potholes, power failures, water leaks, political infighting, dangerous night time driving, rampant crime, shrinking economy and lack of will back here in NMB:
The Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, addressed a high-level gathering of dignitaries and investors convened by the Government of Angola, where she presented a compelling case for Nelson Mandela Bay as a leading destination for investment and tourism in South Africa.
In her address, Mayor Lobishe highlighted the city’s robust and modern economic infrastructure—most notably its two strategic ports and an integrated road network that facilitates regional trade, logistics, and seamless investor access. These assets, she noted, position the Bay as a key gateway for trade into Southern Africa.
Underscoring the power of collaboration, the Mayor called on African countries and enterprises to establish a “community of practice” to exchange best practices, enhance cooperation, and build resilient, interconnected economies.
Cllr Lobishe further stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue between government and the organised business sector to attract and retain investment, and to improve coordination, facilitation, and investor support mechanisms.
She also emphasised the need for unified continental responses to global economic shocks, urging African nations to work together to shield their economies and industries from external pressures.
Concluding her remarks, the Executive Mayor extended a warm invitation to Angolan investors to visit Nelson Mandela Bay and explore the city’s diverse opportunities, supported by a suite of attractive investment incentives and facilitation services.
Editor: A ‘warm invitation’? Really? Isn’t that the kind of remark that one makes to someone you met on a beach whilst on vacation? As an investor I would prefer to hear about how well the city is run, how few potholes we have, how we have a 99.5% uptime for power, how the city enables me to start my business quickly with little red tape, how the citizens are well fed and possessed of ample spare cash and of how little political meddling there is!
Related: FU Donald – We are off to Angola | How do you know that your employees don’t give a rats arse about you?
