Reporting, context & debate
Reporting, explainers, analysis and opinion. Browse the published record, with original dates and accountable bylines.
Politics
The sixth action area of the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto commits every ward to a functioning ward committee and monthly public meetings, requires complaints to be acknowledged within two working days through a single customer-care system, mandates Mayoral Community Imbizos at least twice a year, and establishes an annual Status of Persons with Disabilities Report tabled before Council.
Politics
The fifth action area of the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto commits every critical municipal management post to be filled within 120 days of vacancy, annual lifestyle audits for mayors and senior managers with public reporting, whistleblower protection, the ANC Step Aside Rule applied to public representatives, recall of councillors for persistent failure, a compulsory three-year Local Government Leadership Certificate for all ANC councillors, and the insourcing of core municipal functions.
Politics
The fourth action area of the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto commits every ANC-led municipality to eliminate unfunded budgets within two years, to achieve at least 50% clean or unqualified audits by 2031, to reduce Eskom and water-board debt by at least 30%, to pay municipal workers and compliant suppliers on time, and to publish a tariff schedule any resident can read within 14 days of adoption.
Politics
The third action area of the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto commits every ANC-led municipality to convene a Community Safety Forum, meeting monthly, with a lighting, policing and camera plan for every hotspot, alongside integrated disaster management, publicly reported law-enforcement activity, maintained public spaces and fair compensation for waste reclaimers.
Politics
The second action area of the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto commits one million work, training and enterprise opportunities between 2026 and 2031, 10,000 municipal apprenticeships, learnerships and internships, payment of compliant suppliers within 30 days, and procurement participation targets of 40% women-owned, 20% youth-owned and 3% disability-owned enterprises by 2031.
Politics
The first action area of the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto commits every ANC-led municipality to invest at least 8% of the value of its assets annually in maintenance and renewal, to reduce non-revenue water below 30% in every metropolitan municipality, to eliminate E. coli contamination, and to publish an 85% repair clock by ward. This explainer sets out the commitments, the mechanism and the Nelson Mandela Bay test.
Politics
The first 100 days of the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto, Masakhe: Let Us Build, run on a dated schedule in every ANC-led municipality: a first ward meeting within 30 days, a State of the Municipality Report within 60, and at 100 days a Ward Delivery Schedule, the Umhlaba Wethu land register, free basic services to indigent households and a 100-Day Delivery Scorecard.
Politics
President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the African National Congress’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto, Masakhe: Let Us Build, at Riverside Park in Diepsloot on 23 August 2026, ahead of the 4 November polls. The 65-page document sets out six action areas for 2026 to 2031, commits free basic services to indigent households within 100 days, and establishes a dated accountability calendar running to a Manifesto Delivery Report in 2031.
Politics
Andile Lungisa, Babalwa Lobishe, Nontombi Nama and Xolani Vela were presented as the ANC Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral slate at the Sandton Convention Centre, ahead of Sunday’s manifesto launch in Diepsloot.
Public Information
Unemployed registered tourist guides in Nelson Mandela Bay can apply for Department of Tourism-funded business training. Freelance and employed guides are also eligible.
News Analysis
The Public Protector’s preliminary notice and the SIU recovery ledger show how NSFAS system failures produced improper funding and wrongful student exclusion.
Opinion
Bongani Mabusela reflects on the life, resistance and enduring political legacy of Inkosi Jongumsobomvu Maqoma.
Politics
The ANC Eastern Cape PEC has been temporarily reinstated while the party pursues leave to appeal at the SCA over the provincial task team.
Local Government
Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe has paid tribute to late Nelson Mandela Bay CFO Jackson Ngcelwane, recognising his service to the municipality and its financial administration.
Politics
The ANC will announce its 2026 mayoral candidates on 22 August before launching its Local Government Elections Manifesto in Diepsloot on 23 August.
Opinion
Thembalethu Nyikilana on political killings, patronage and the struggle to reclaim the ANC’s moral character.
Opinion
Bamanye Ndzima argues that Nelson Mandela Bay needs stable governance and an ANC renewal rooted in discipline, collective leadership and service to the people.
News Analysis
The ANC Parliamentary Caucus has called for DA MP Mark Burke’s removal from finance committees as the Kastelo-SARB dispute raises questions about parliamentary oversight and consistent accountability.
