Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie and mayoral hopeful Bradley Murray have launched their campaign in Nelson Mandela Bay, promising a fresh approach to the metro's debt, jobs, services, and immigration. McKenzie said voters should give his party five years to govern Nelson Mandela Bay, assuring that it would bring about significant change. Murray, a former Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral committee member, has been endorsed by McKenzie as the best candidate to run City Hall.
Murray's campaign promises include writing off municipal debt for households with properties worth R1-million or less. He attributes the widespread incorrect debt to the municipality's billing system, which has been problematic for about five years. McKenzie emphasized that the party aims to start with a clean slate, writing off debt for all eligible households. The proposal comes as the metro struggles with a mounting debt burden of R23.42-billion, with households accounting for R20.35-billion of the total.
Immigration and foreign-owned businesses are also central to Murray's campaign, invoking the PA's "Abahambe" slogan. He warned that foreign shops would suffer under a PA government and identified Durban Road in Korsten, Gqeberha, as a key area for the crackdown. McKenzie previously faced criticism for scapegoating foreign nationals, with Human Rights Watch warning that such rhetoric risked sparking violence. The PA plans to target businesses employing undocumented foreign nationals with a new bylaw to enforce the crackdown.
Murray also aims to address the metro's leadership instability, with city manager Noxolo Nqwazi on precautionary suspension for nearly three years. The Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs portfolio committee reported that Nqwazi's suspension has cost the municipality over R6.7-million in salary alone. Murray emphasized the need for a permanent city manager to provide stability across the administration.
Unemployment, electricity, water, and crime are among the major problems a PA administration would tackle. McKenzie's marching orders also include addressing derelict sporting and recreational infrastructure in the metro. The PA was previously part of a coalition in Nelson Mandela Bay but walked away in November 2024.
Murray served as MMC for roads and transport and Shuling Lindoor served as MMC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Agriculture before resigning to grow the party. The two were replaced by former MP Gavin Jonas and Alvera Hendricks. McKenzie argued that voters should give the PA an opportunity to govern after having tried the ANC and DA.
The ANC and DA have had multiple mayors, but Murray claims that nothing has changed for coloured people in their communities. The PA's pitch is to try themselves and focus on neglected areas. With the election campaign underway, voters will decide whether to give the PA a chance to bring about change in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Key points
- The Patriotic Alliance promises to write off municipal debt for households with properties worth R1-million or less.
- The party plans to crack down on foreign-owned shops and businesses employing undocumented foreign nationals.
- The PA aims to address leadership instability and unemployment in Nelson Mandela Bay.
