GQEBERHA, Eastern Cape — The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has officially unveiled Mandla Peter as its mayoral candidate for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro as the party intensifies its campaign trail ahead of the 2026 local government elections. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa led the announcement at the Lillian Ngoyi Centre in KwaZakhele, outlining a strategic vision aimed at reclaiming the party’s former political stronghold in the Eastern Cape.
The event marks a significant milestone for the UDM in the metro, a region where the party’s political footprint has dwindled in recent years. Currently holding only one Proportional Representation (PR) councillor seat, the UDM previously participated in the metro’s coalition government before branching out independently. The party is now looking to expand its presence from a single PR seat to securing ward candidates and broader council representation.
A Focus on Stakeholder Engagement and Service Delivery
During the unveiling, the incoming UDM mayoral candidate, Mandla Peter, emphasized that the metro’s recovery requires deep, collaborative stakeholder engagement. Rather than relying on conventional political maneuvering, Peter stated that the party’s strategy hinges on working directly with residents and civil society organizations to identify and prioritize pressing local issues.
Nelson Mandela Bay has faced severe service delivery challenges in recent times, with residents frequently grappling with interrupted water supply, electricity shortages, and inadequate housing. Peter noted that if the UDM forms the first caucus after the elections, a primary focus will be reviewing the current municipal system. This includes auditing whether allocations from the national treasury are effectively serving the actual needs of the community.
Tackling the Crime Crisis
Safety remains a paramount concern for residents, particularly in townships like KwaZakhele. The local police station has previously recorded some of the highest numbers of murders and violent crimes in the country, with similar alarming trends reported in areas like New Brighton and Kariega (Gwanabuka).
Addressing this dire situation, Peter outlined a comprehensive security strategy. The UDM plans to integrate and coordinate various security clusters, combining the efforts of the Metro Police, the national police service, and the military. This multi-agency approach is designed to manage and significantly reduce the violent crime rates that have left many residents traumatized.
Navigating Coalition Politics
When questioned about the possibility of a coalition government, Holomisa and the party leadership maintained a pragmatic stance. They acknowledged that coalitions are a democratic reality created by the voters. While the UDM’s ideal scenario is to secure an outright majority, they affirmed that they will not shy away from coalition arrangements if the electorate demands it.
However, the party stressed that in any coalition setup, the focus must remain on ensuring that communities, rather than individual politicians, are the ultimate winners.
Welcoming the Constitutional Court Ruling
The campaign stop also provided an opportunity for Holomisa to address the recent Constitutional Court ruling regarding political parties whose candidates were initially left off the electoral ballot. The UDM was among the parties affected by this issue, specifically in the Buffalo City Municipality.
Holomisa expressed the party’s strong welcome for the court’s judgment and the subsequent decision by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). He noted that while there was an initial impression that the ruling would only benefit the ANC, the UDM successfully argued that the judgment should set a broader legal precedent. As a result, the IEC agreed to accommodate other parties in the same category, allowing the UDM to fully participate in the upcoming elections in the affected areas.
As the 2026 local government elections approach, the UDM is urging the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay to give them a chance to govern, promising that a vote for the party is a vote for tangible, community-driven change in the metro.
