Nelson Mandela Bay has a new mayor – and Danny Jordaan is nowhere to be seen
Athol Trollip has officially been elected as mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, the Democratic Alliance reported on Thursday.
The UDM’s Mongameli Bobani has been elected as deputy mayor of the city.
News24 reported that the near chaotic first meeting of the new council of Nelson Mandela Bay metro on Thursday was eventually brought to order, after reported attempts by the ANC to stop the meeting from going ahead, followed by the party demanding to be let into the hall.
Minutes after Trollip was elected the new executive mayor however, ANC members rose and walked out the hall, amidst loud cheering.
Former ANC mayor Danny Jordaan was not present, according to News24.
Earlier, when the ANC councillors eventually made their way into the hall, acting municipal manager Johann Mettler gave them the opportunity to take the oath. While no councillor stood to take the oath in English, they stood as one to take the oath and affirmation in isiXhosa.
Finally the call for nomination for a speaker was put to the floor, causing an ANC councillor to take to the floor to call for a point of order.
Mettler refused to acknowledge the councillor, saying points of order need to be raised with the new speaker.
One nomination was received, and DA councillor Jonathan Lewack was elected unopposed.
Lewack immediately started cracking the whip, calling the audience to order and waving around the rule book to warn them about their behaviour. He refused to acknowledge ANC councillor who stood up to object.
Lewack challenged him to quote the rules that allowed him to speak, to which the councillor had no reply.
“This house is governed by order. If you cannot quote the rule, you must take a seat. This house is governed by order. If you cannot quote the rule, you must take a seat.”
Lewack pointed to Section 28, and said if he determined that the councillors’ behavior was disruptive, he could have the councillor removed.
The DA was able to appoint an executive mayor by forming coalitions with smaller parties, after falling four seats short of a majority rule in the port city.
Trollip said in his first speech as mayor, “that it is now our responsibility to cooperate with other opposition parties in the spirit of reconciliation and redress to deliver good governance to the people of this city.
“We have a lot of work to do here in Nelson Mandela Bay, and it starts right here, right now.”
Trollip pledged to establish an efficient, effective and highly skilled administration.
“Best practice will be implemented here, using blueprints from the Western Cape and other DA-run municipalities. We will work with all spheres of government to guarantee better services and economic growth that creates jobs. Safety and security remains a great concern in the Bay.
“I will not let you down as the Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay,” the new mayor said.
With News24
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