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

Political parties are putting forward their candidates to lead Nelson Mandela Bay, a metropolitan municipality that has experienced coalition instability and ongoing service-delivery challenges.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and several smaller parties have identified candidates for the mayoral race. However, the African National Congress (ANC) has decided not to publicly announce its preferred mayoral candidate ahead of the elections.

DA: Retief Odendaal

The DA has selected incumbent Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Retief Odendaal as its mayoral candidate.

EFF: Sinawo Thambo

The EFF has selected its national spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo, to contest the Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral position.

MK Party: Mvuleni Mapu

The MK Party has put forward Mvuleni Mapu as its mayoral candidate in Nelson Mandela Bay and once served as the acting city manager in the metro.

SACP: Zanoxolo Wayile

Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Zanoxolo Wayile is contesting the elections as the South African Communist Party’s mayoral candidate.