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

As the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality approaches the local government elections on 4 November 2026, political parties are positioning their candidates to lead the metro. The region has faced significant political instability, with various coalitions governing the area over the past decade.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has put forward Retief Odendaal as its mayoral candidate. Odendaal, who previously served as mayor before being ousted in 2023, is campaigning on a platform of restoring service delivery and stability, with party leadership expressing hope for an outright majority.

The African National Congress (ANC) has faced internal challenges regarding its leadership selection. While the party initially shortlisted candidates including current mayor Babalwa Lobishe, former councillor Andile Lungisa, corporate executive Xolani Vela, and deputy regional secretary Nontombi Nama, it ultimately decided to delay the formal announcement of its mayoral candidate until after the elections. Despite this, Andile Lungisa has continued to campaign, asserting his candidacy based on grassroots support.

The MK Party has named Mvuleni Mapu as its mayoral candidate for the metro, positioning him as part of the party’s broader effort to contest major municipalities across South Africa.

Additionally, the National Alliance, led by Gary van Niekerk, is contesting the election with Van Niekerk himself serving as the mayoral hopeful, focusing his campaign on the Northern Areas and pledging a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

Other parties, such as the EFF, have also fielded candidates, with Sinawo Thambo named as their mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay, as the metro prepares for what is considered one of its most consequential elections since 1995.