The ANC’s Babalwa Lobishe has been elected the new mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, uncontested.
She replaced the National Alliance’s Gary van Niekerk, who resigned on Thursday in accordance with an agreement reached with the ANC.
Van Niekerk will now serve as the deputy mayor. This means that the ANC is now in charge of the metro.
Following her uncontested election, Lobishe gave an acceptance speech in which she thanked the nomination and the duties that come with it.
She listed several top goals for the incoming administration, including dealing with the effects of the recent floods, bringing power back to communities that were impacted, and filling important positions in the Metro Police.
Since the region's substantial resources have not yet been completely used, Lobishe emphasised the importance of taking a proactive approach to economic growth.
The audience responded enthusiastically to Lobishe’s election. This was during a full council meeting.
Lobishe was a deputy mayor at the time of her election.
In order to give council members a chance to confer with their various political parties, the meeting was then adjourned for almost half an hour.
A new mayoral committee will be established soon, she said, adding that she would also work with the municipal unions to make sure they were in line with the municipality's goals.
"We promise not to disappoint anyone,” she said.
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