Here are the Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidates for the 2026 polls

With South Africans set to head to the polls on 4 November, political parties are putting forward their candidates to lead Nelson Mandela Bay, a metropolitan municipality that has experienced coalition instability and ongoing service-delivery challenges.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and several smaller parties have identified candidates for the mayoral race. However, the African National Congress (ANC) has decided not to publicly announce its preferred mayoral candidate ahead of the elections.

MEET THE NELSON MANDELA BAY MAYORAL CANDIDATES

DA: Retief Odendaal

The DA has selected incumbent Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Retief Odendaal as its mayoral candidate.

Odendaal has been campaigning on issues affecting the metro, including municipal finances, service delivery, water and electricity provision, and corruption.

🚨Crime has left too many families living in fear. Residents should not have to accept unsafe streets and failing law enforcement as the new normal.

DA Mayoral Candidate Retief Odendaal says enough is enough. It's time to take back Nelson Mandela Bay and restore law and order.… pic.twitter.com/hWarBqEJEE

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA)

July 14, 2026

EFF: Sinawo Thambo

The EFF has selected its national spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo, to contest the Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral position.

The party is among the political formations seeking to challenge the DA and ANC for control of the metro.

Today, EFF Mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Municipality, Commissar Sinawo Thambo continues the campaign trail in Govan Mbeki, Alex Matikinca and champion Galela, engaging residents through door-to-door visits and community meeting.#VoteEFF pic.twitter.com/4s4kyPEwcU

— EFF Eastern Cape (@EFFEASTERNCAPE_)

October 20, 2026

MK Party: Mvuleni Mapu

The MK Party has put forward Mvuleni Mapu as its mayoral candidate in Nelson Mandela Bay and once served as the acting city manager in the metro.

The party is also contesting council seats as it seeks to expand its presence in local government.

MKP Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral Candidate Cde Mvuleni Mapu outlined plans to improve service delivery, upgrade water infrastructure, attract investment and create sustainable jobs through community-based cooperatives.#DumelaMoagisane #SizothathaOmaspala #MasibuyeleBantwini pic.twitter.com/9K2XdGwr52

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex)

October 20, 2026

SACP: Zanoxolo Wayile

Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Zanoxolo Wayile is contesting the elections as the South African Communist Party’s mayoral candidate.

Wayile served as mayor from 2009 to 2013 before being recalled by the ANC and moving to Parliament. He stepped aside from the Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition to pursue his political ambitions, with the coalition saying the move was intended to preserve its non-partisan character.

Congratulations to Xolani Tshayana our Education Officer at VW who graduated with BCom Honours in Labor Relations; Zanoxolo Wayile retired HOD for Education & Innocent Ndiki, Health & Safety Coordinator for NUMSA who graduated with Post Grad Diploma in Labour Law from NMU✨️ pic.twitter.com/0urD8AezeN

— NUMSA (@Numsa_Media)

April 23, 2025

ACDP: Lance Grootboom

The African Christian Democratic Party has named Lance Grootboom as its candidate for the mayoral position. He has served as the MMC for Health and Energy in the metro municipality.

ACDP Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidate, Lance Grootboom says the party's focus is on strong leadership and appointing competent, capable leaders to key positions in the metro. Tune in to #eNCA, on #DStv403. pic.twitter.com/D45cDucSpO

— eNCA (@eNCA)

September 27, 2026

Patriotic Alliance: Bradley Murray

The Patriotic Alliance has put forward Bradley Murray as its mayoral candidate. He previously served as the MMC for Roads and Transport.

PA regional leader Bradley Murray and the party's mayoral candidate in the Bay has officially welcomed everyone to the event #PA2026 pic.twitter.com/qVKoegJoWf

— iNtsikelelo Ka Qoyo (@I_R_Glizzy)

May 17, 2025

ANC YET TO NAME ITS PREFERRED MAYORAL CANDIDATE

The ANC has not publicly identified its preferred mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay ahead of the elections.

The party previously shortlisted several potential candidates, including incumbent mayor Babalwa Lobishe, former ANC Youth League leader Andile Lungisa, Xolani Vela and Ntombi Nama. However, the ANC later decided against announcing its preferred mayoral candidates before the elections, citing concerns about internal divisions and the limited time remaining for campaigning.

Lungisa’s position on the ANC’s proportional representation candidate list also became the subject of a legal dispute. The Johannesburg High Court ruled that his removal from the list was unlawful and directed the party to reinstate him on its internal list. This ruling concerned his position on the candidate list and should not be taken as confirmation that he has been publicly named as the party’s mayoral candidate.