Will We Ever Know How Much of the ‘Equitable Share’ is Spent on Parties?

There is an underground narrative amongst the citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay that now that the municipality has received a portion of it’s ‘equitable share‘ that he number of vote gathering exercises – or parties will increase exponentially.

To be fair – December also happens to be the month that our municipality wakes up and promotes all the events that it can in a last gasp desperate attempt to portray our city as a destination of choice.

Overview of X Activity:

This December shift to promotional content for “Summer So Sweet 2025 – Ziilekese,” highlighting tourism, events, and safety, portray the Bay as a vibrant destination. However, this aspirational narrative contrasts with persistent service reports on outages and repairs, revealing challenges in balancing promotion with transparency. Engagement on the X.com platform remains low, despite 21.7 thousands followers and possibly due to frustration over unresolved issues, yet the account’s bilingual, proactive alerts demonstrate commitment to inclusivity and accountability. Overall, it serves as an effective broadcast tool but could enhance impact through interactive features like polls or AMAs to boost trust and participation in a metro grappling with urban pressures.

In light of the above we asked Grok to critically explore the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality account – @NMandelaBaymuni – and create two lists – one reflecting all the events promoted by the @NMandelaBaymuni account and one listing all the service delivery reports for November and December 2025.

List of Events Promoted by @NMandelaBaymuni in November and December 2025

This list compiles all events and promotions from the account’s posts during the period, including cultural, recreational, sporting, and tourist activities. Details such as dates, locations, times, and entry fees are included where provided. Ongoing tourist experiences are noted as they are framed as seasonal attractions.

1. GQ Comedy Festival: 18–19 December 2025; Location: The Roof Garden Bar; Details: 2 days of non-stop laughs; Free entry implied.
2. Summer So Sweet 2025 – Ziilekese Festive Season Launch: December 2025–January 2026; Locations: Various across the Metro (e.g., beaches, parks); Details: Music, family fun, beach vibes, celebrations; Free entry for most activities.
3. Pulse Family Fun Fair: 18 December 2025; Location: Happy Valley; Time: 11:00–19:00; Details: Comedy, music, kiddies zones with jumping castles and face painting; Strictly non-alcoholic; Free entry.
4. Gravity Indoor Trampoline Park (Tourist Experience): Ongoing in December 2025; Location: Baywest Mall; Details: Family-friendly adventure.
5. Opening of the Summer Season Concert: 16 December 2025; Location: Hobie Beach; Time: 16:00–23:00; Details: Featuring local artists like Andy Ndlazilwana, DÉJÀ VU Group, Nosisi Mavela, Lefa Mosea, Embra ZA, Luja Man, Azi SA, Sykes, DJ Sodge SA, AV Rain Candy, DJ Dani; Program Director: Phila Madlingozi; Fireworks at 20:00; Free entry.
6. Playland at Kings Beach: 12 December 2025–11 January 2026; Location: Kings Beach, Humewood; Time: Opens 15:00–21:00 on launch day, ongoing hours; Details: Rides, lights, festive fun for families and thrill-seekers; Entry fees not specified, but promoted as accessible.
7. Valley Crag Indoor Climbing Centre (Tourist Destination): Ongoing in December 2025; Location: 16 Lower Valley Road, Baakens Valley; Details: Active, family-friendly adventure.
8. Betway SA20 Cricket Series: December 2025–January 2026; Location: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium; Details: World-class cricket with big hits and crowds; Ticketed event.
9. Proteas Women vs Ireland Women Cricket Match: 16 December 2025; Location: St George’s Park (implied); Details: Festive cricket showdown; Ticketed event.
10. Public Pools Opening: 16 December 2025–31 March 2026; Locations: 8 public pools across the Metro; Details: Summer swimming access; Free or low-cost entry implied.
11. Boardwalk Mall (Tourist Experience): Ongoing in December 2025; Location: Marine Drive, Summerstrand; Details: Shopping and entertainment hub.
12. Anti Pens Down Gospel Concert: 27 November 2025; Location: Hobie Beach; Time: Afternoon/evening; Details: Featuring artists like Andile B, V Sholo; Uplifting celebration for Grade 12 learners; Free entry.
13. World AIDS Day Eastern Cape Provincial Commemoration: Around 1 December 2025; Location: Not specified; Details: Support for fight against HIV & AIDS; Community event.
14. ICROP Outreach Programme (Ward 59): 27 November 2025; Location: Not specified; Details: Government services and stakeholders; Free community access.
15. VSL Facility Launch: 27 November 2025; Location: Isuzu (implied); Details: R760 million investment celebration with dignitaries; Public event.
    Title Deeds Handover – Booysens Park: 27 November 2025; Location: Booysens Park Community Hall; Details: 150 residents receiving deeds; Community event.
16. EDTA Portfolio Committee Meeting: 28 November 2025; Location: Council Chambers; Details: Assessing effectiveness and 10-point plan; Open to public.
17. Taxi Rank Outreach Activation: 28 November 2025; Location: Terminus Rank; Details: Municipal services closer to people; Free access.
    Mall Outreach Activation: 28 November 2025; Location: Boardwalk Mall; Details: Municipal services; Free access.
    International Earthquake Response Exercise: 1–5 December 2025; Location: Not specified (hosted in EC); Details: Partnership with NDMC and EC PDMC; Training event.
18. Initiation Season Oversight and Safety Practices: 8–9 December 2025; Location: Not specified; Details: Meetings with stakeholders for safe practices; No deaths reported.

List of Service Delivery Reports by @NMandelaBaymuni for November and December 2025

This list includes all reports on service disruptions, maintenance, repairs, municipal operations, and accountability from November and December 2025 posts (as data for earlier 2025 is not available in the fetched content). Details like dates, affected areas, and resolutions are provided where mentioned.

1. Festive Season Refuse Collection Update: 25 December 2025; Details: No household waste collection due to public holiday; Residents advised to plan accordingly.
2. Municipal Finances Meeting (MPAC Final Meeting): 9 December 2025; Details: Reviewed accountability, transparency, and irregularities; Aimed at protecting public resources.
3. Water Supply Disruption Update: 9 December 2025; Affected Areas: Metro-wide status; Details: System updates, no major outages reported.
4. Planned Water Maintenance (Coegakop Reservoir Connection): 13–18 December 2025; Affected Areas: Areas supplied by Coegakop; Details: Installation of new connection by Coega Development Corporation.
5. Planned Water Maintenance (Perseverance Industrial Valve Replacement): 10 December 2025; Affected Areas: Perseverance Industrial area; Details: Faulty isolation valve replacement.
6. Power Outage – Deal Party: 10 December 2025; Affected Areas: Deal Party and surroundings; Details: Under investigation, restoration ongoing.
7. Power Outage – Northdowns Substation: 12 December 2025; Affected Areas: Algoa Park and surroundings; Details: Under investigation (note: date listed as October in post, likely typo for December).
8. Power Outage – Makhubalo Substation: 12 December 2025; Affected Areas: KwaDwesi, KwaMagxaki, and surroundings; Details: Under investigation.
9. Water Supply Disruption – Lower CBD: 12 December 2025; Affected Areas: Parts of lower Central Business District; Details: Localised interruption, repairs underway.
10. Water Supply Disruption Update: 11 December 2025; Affected Areas: Metro-wide; Details: System stable, no significant outages.
11. Water Leaks Repairs: Ongoing in December 2025; Affected Areas: Various (e.g., multiple wards); Details: Infrastructure and Engineering Directorate completed repairs in listed areas.
12. Power Outage – North End: 11 December 2025; Affected Areas: North End, Patterson Road, Sydenham, Sidwell, and surroundings; Details: Under investigation.
13. Water Supply Disruption – Charlo/Broadwood: 11 December 2025; Affected Areas: Charlo and Broadwood; Details: Due to three burst pipes, repairs in progress.
14. Power Outage – Seaview Substation: 13 December 2025; Affected Areas: Lake Farms and sections of Seaview pumps line; Details: Under investigation.
15. Water Supply Disruptions: 14 December 2025; Affected Areas: Not specified; Details: General advisory.
    Power Outage – Mount Road Substation: 14 December 2025; Affected Areas: Sections of CBD, Richmond Hill, North End; Details: Under investigation.
16. Power Outage – Fitche’s Corner: 14 December 2025; Affected Areas: Rocklands and surroundings; Details: Under investigation.
17. Power Outage – Sansouci Substation: 10 December 2025; Affected Areas: Khayamnandi and Joe Slovo; Details: Under investigation.
18. Refuse Collection Completion: Ongoing in December 2025; Depots/Areas: Straunway, Cuyler, Gail Road, Addo, and others; Details: Successful collections for cleaner neighborhoods.
19. Streetlight Restoration Programme Oversight: 10 December 2025; Areas: Various Metro-wide; Details: Inspections to monitor progress on revitalizing infrastructure.
20. Disconnection Blitz for Unpaid Accounts: Ongoing in December 2025; Details: Recovery of outstanding debt to protect service delivery; Sharp rise in unpaid accounts noted.
21. Fleet Addition for City Cleaning: 8 December 2025; Details: New vehicles to enhance waste management and reclaim cleanliness.
    Initiation Season Oversight and Safety Practices: 8–9 December 2025; Details: High-level meetings with stakeholders to ensure safe practices; No deaths reported, focus on health and community safety.
22. Vandalism Prevention in Cemeteries: December 2025; Location: Gerald Smith; Details: Community meeting with SAPS to protect sites.
23. Metro Police Weekend Law Enforcement: Weekend in early December 2025; Details: Intensified operations for resident safety.
24. Temporary Water Disruption (Fairbridge Heights, etc.): 28 November 2025; Affected Areas: Higher lying parts of Fairbridge Heights, Strelitzia Park, Vanes Estate; Details: Pipeline leak repaired same day.
25. Service Delivery Bulletin: 28 November 2025; Details: General updates on municipal operations.
26. Power Outage – Fitchers Corner/Blue Horizon Bay: 28 November 2025; Affected Areas: Fitchers Corner/Blue Horizon Bay; Details: 22kV circuit breaker tripped, operators dispatched.
27. Water Supply Disruption Update: 28 November 2025; Details: System under strain, general advisory.
28. Power Outage – Summit Substation/Loerie Pumps: 27 November 2025; Affected Areas: Summit–Loerie line and surroundings; Details: 22kV circuit breaker tripped, operators dispatched.
29. Refuse Collection Completion: Ongoing in November 2025; Depots/Areas: Various; Details: Successful collections.
30. Water Supply Disruption – Swartkops: 24 November 2025; Affected Areas: Swartkops; Details: Troubleshooting ongoing.
31. Joint Operation New Brighton: 27 November 2025; Details: Compliance operation with law enforcement.
32. Streetlight Restoration Programme: Ongoing; Areas: Various; Details: Oversight inspections.
33. Power Outage – Rosedale & Surrounds: 25 November 2025; Affected Areas: Rosedale/Kwevoel; Details: 11kV circuit breaker tripped, technicians investigating.

Make of the above what you will – would you prefer to see many events and NO Service Delivery reports/concerns/warnings or not?