The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality notes the correspondence reportedly submitted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition to the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, concerning infrastructure and service delivery challenges within the metro.
The Municipality recognises and respects the constitutional right of all residents, civic organisations and social partners to raise concerns and to participate actively in matters of local governance, as provided for in Sections 152 and 153 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and reinforced through the provisions of the Municipal Systems Act. Public participation, transparency and accountability remain fundamental pillars of democratic local government.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality acknowledges that the metro continues to face significant service delivery pressures, particularly in relation to ageing electricity, water and sanitation infrastructure. These challenges are not unique to the city and are being confronted across many municipalities nationally.
The current administration, under the leadership of Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, has already committed to a well-documented and communicated programme of institutional reform, governance strengthening and infrastructure renewal aimed at stabilising services and restoring operational effectiveness, where required. Service delivery reform is currently underway through coordinated efforts between the Municipality, organised business, civil society formations and the three spheres of government. The Municipality is working closely with the national and provincial departments responsible for cooperative governance, infrastructure development and public finance to strengthen technical capacity, improve asset management systems and accelerate infrastructure maintenance and renewal programmes.
Importantly, the Municipality reiterates that its doors remain open to constructive engagement with all stakeholders. The administration welcomes collaboration with civil society organisations, business formations, labour structures and community leaders who are committed to contributing practical solutions that advance the shared goal of rebuilding Nelson Mandela Bay.
The city leadership further notes that a Social Compact process and subsequent engagements earlier this year demonstrated that meaningful progress can be achieved when stakeholders work together in a spirit of partnership rather than confrontation. The Municipality therefore encourages continued participation in these platforms, including the work of the Joint Technical Team established to support coordinated interventions.
The administration firmly believes that rebuilding infrastructure, restoring reliable services and strengthening governance requires collective effort. It cannot be achieved by any single institution acting alone.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality therefore calls on all stakeholders, including civil society formations that have raised concerns, to continue engaging openly and constructively with the city so that together we can accelerate reforms, stabilise infrastructure systems and improve service delivery for residents and businesses.
The Municipality remains fully committed to transparency, accountability and cooperative governance as we work with all partners to restore effective and efficient municipal services and to secure a sustainable future for the people of Nelson Mandela Bay.
Related: NMBCSC Calls for Urgent National Intervention in Infrastructure Crisis
