Here are the Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidates for the 2026 polls

From tackling water shortages and improving service delivery to addressing infrastructure failures and political instability, the race to lead Nelson Mandela Bay is about more than political promises. We look at the mayoral candidates hoping to win over voters in the Eastern Cape metro.

As parties battle to take control of the Metro ahead of the local government elections, mayoral candidates are laying out their vision to rebuild.

Four candidates made the African National Congress (ANC)’s August shortlist: Babalwa Lobishe (current mayor), Andile Lungisa (former councillor and ANC NEC member), Xolani Vela (corporate executive), Nontombi “Ntombi” Nama (deputy regional secretary). Babalwa Lobishe has been mayor since October 2024. She is a former Eastern Cape MPL and served on the mayoral committees of Ben Fihla and Danny Jordaan. She was elected as the ANC’s regional chairperson in 2021.

However, shortly before the nomination deadline, Andile Lungisa was told his name had been removed from the ANC’s candidates list for Nelson Mandela Bay.

Retief Odendaal: Democratic Alliance (DA)

Retief Odendaal is the DA mayoral candidate. He previously served as mayor before being removed in 2023.

Mvuleni Mapu: MK Party

Mapu, the MK Party’s mayoral candidate, is a former SACP district chairperson credited with setting up the party’s first structures in the municipality.