News Desk Reporter
Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe has emerged as the frontrunner in the ANC’s race to choose its mayoral candidate for this year’s local government elections.
The party has yet to announce its final choice. However, Lobishe is understood to have strong backing as the ANC’s internal selection process enters its final stages.
Lobishe is one of three candidates submitted by the ANC’s regional leadership. The others are ANC Chief Whip Wandisile Jikeka and Member of the Mayoral Committee for Infrastructure and Engineering, Buyelwa Mafaya.
The party is expected to complete its vetting process before confirming its final candidate.
Lobishe currently serves as Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay. She also holds the position of ANC regional chairperson.
Her leadership roles have strengthened her standing within the party. The local government elections are expected to be closely contested.
The ANC is hoping to retain control of Nelson Mandela Bay, one of South Africa’s most contested metros. Political control of the municipality has changed hands several times over the past decade.
That makes the mayoral nomination an important part of the party’s election campaign.
Political parties across the country are finalising their candidates ahead of the elections.
In Nelson Mandela Bay, campaigning is expected to focus on service delivery, infrastructure, unemployment and local economic growth.
While Lobishe is widely regarded as the frontrunner, the ANC has not officially endorsed any candidate. The party is expected to announce its mayoral nominee once its internal processes have been completed.
Earlier this year, Lobishe’s administration came under renewed scrutiny from Parliament after appearing before the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The committee defended its constitutional oversight role after rejecting claims that its engagement with the municipality had been unfair.
Committee chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize said Parliament had a duty to hold municipalities accountable. He said oversight was aimed at improving governance, financial accountability and service delivery, not targeting individuals.
The committee also raised concerns about delays in receiving information requested during its oversight process. It said timely and complete responses were essential for Parliament to carry out its constitutional mandate.
Parliament warned that Nelson Mandela Bay’s leadership could be called back before the committee if outstanding information was not submitted.
It also said it would use all available parliamentary mechanisms to ensure accountability if the municipality failed to cooperate.