The Bay Big Election Debate

Nelson Mandela Bay goes into the local government elections as one of South Africa’s most closely contested metros. Years of shifting coalitions have coincided with water and electricity failures and crumbling infrastructure.

The Bay’s Big Election Debate puts candidates in front of the residents who live with those problems every day. Confirmed so far are Retief Odendaal (DA), Sinawo Thambo (EFF), Gary van Niekerk (National Alliance), Lance Grootboom (ACDP), Bill Harrington (FF Plus), Bradley Murray (PA), Mod Ndoyana (AIM), Luxolo Namette (UDM), Lawrence Troon (GOOD), Siyanda Mayana (People’s Power), Tukela Zumani (Mayibuye Civic Organisation) and independent candidate Thamsanqa Nkevu from Kariega.

Daily Maverick’s Heather Robertson will moderate. Jeremy Dobbin of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and Neville Goldman of the Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition, will put questions to the candidates. Reidents will then get its turn to raise concerns about water, electricity, safety and the local economy. The debate will be live-streamed for audiences across the country.