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

Political parties have put forward their mayoral candidates for Nelson Mandela Bay ahead of the local government elections on 4 November. The metro has faced years of coalition instability, deteriorating services and financial challenges.

The EFF is seeking to win control of the metro, with candidates such as Alex Matikinca and Champion Galela engaging residents through door-to-door visits and community meetings.

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

Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Zanoxolo Wayile is contesting the elections as the South African Communist Party’s mayoral candidate. Wayile served as mayor from 2009 to 2013 before being recalled by the ANC and moving to Parliament.

The African National Congress has not publicly identified its preferred mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay ahead of the elections. The party later decided against announcing its preferred mayoral candidates before the elections, citing concerns about internal divisions and the limited time remaining for campaigning.

Regarding ANC NEC member Andile Lungisa, a recent court ruling concerned his position on the candidate list and should not be taken as confirmation that he has been publicly named as the party’s mayoral candidate.

The metro’s voters will decide on 4 November which party and candidate will lead Nelson Mandela Bay.