The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMA) is a Category A municipality situated on the southern coast of South Africa, on the shores of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province.
Overview
Type of municipality: | Metropolitan (Category A) |
Province: | Eastern Cape |
Municipal code: | NMA |
Seat: | Gqeberha |
Wards: | 60 |
Total area: | 1,957 km² (756 square miles) |
Population: | 1,190,496 (in 2022) |
Controlling party: | ANC/EFF/NA/AIC/PAC Coalition |
Mayor: | Babalwa Lobishe |
About
Named to honour the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality was established on Tuesday 5 December 2000.
The City is one of two metropolitan municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, the other being Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
It is also one of the eight Metropolitan Municipalities in South Africa, the other seven being Buffalo City, eThekwini, the City of Cape Town, Mangaung, the City of Ekurhuleni, the City of Johannesburg, and the City of Tshwane.
The municipality incorporates Gqeberha, Despatch, and Kariega (previously known as Uitenhage), with their surrounding agricultural areas.
Situated on the shores of the Indian Ocean, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality covers an area of 1,957 km² (756 square miles) and has its headquarters/seat in Gqeberha.
Gqeberha (previously known as Port Elizabeth) is the oldest city in South Africa, boasting its pristine scenic coastline that stretches along a multitude of Blue Flag Beaches.
Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality has consecutively been awarded the “Blue Flag Status” – an international award only given to those beaches that meet excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness, and environmental standards.
The City is commonly referred to as the “friendly city” or the “water sports capital of Africa” and is regarded as the official gateway to the scenic Eastern Cape province and the world-renowned Garden Route.
Nelson Mandela Bay is recognised as both the Mohair and Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World and home to the largest breeding colony of the African Penguin.
The City is home to the only international air access point in the Eastern Cape province, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (previously known as Port Elizabeth International Airport).
Nelson Mandela Bay also boasts two ports, the Port of Port Elizabeth and a deepwater port, the Port of Ngqura. This unique advantage of possessing two ports creates an opportunity for the city to establish a strong and vibrant maritime sector.
Map

Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality has a population of 1,190,496 residents, compared to 1,263,051 in 2016, and 1,152,115 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 0.32%.
According to the 2022 Census, 22.3% of the population is under the age of 15, 68.9% is between 15 and 64, and 8.8% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 62.7% of the population in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 19.2% as Coloured, 15.7% as White, and 1.2% as Indian/Asian.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 53.9% of the population speaks isiXhosa as their first language, 29.3% speak Afrikaans, 13.5% speak English, and 3.3% speak other languages.
Economy
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality’s main economic sectors are manufacturing, community services, finance, trade, and transport.
Municipal council and management
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality is governed by a 120-member city council, comprising 60 Ward Councillors and 60 Proportional Representative (PR) Councillors, as elected by the residents of the Metro in the August 2021 Local Government elections.
Controlling Party | ANC/EFF/NA/AIC/PAC Coalition |
Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 48 – DA: 48 – EFF: 8 – NA: 3 – ACDP: 2 – DOP: 2 – PA: 2 – VF PLUS: 2 – AIC: 1 – AIM: 1 – GOOD: 1 – PAC: 1 – UDM: 1 |
Executive Mayor | Babalwa Lobishe |
Deputy Mayor | Gary van Niekerk |
Speaker | Eugene Johnson |
Chief Whip | Wandisile Jikeka |
Other Council Members | – Thsonono Christopher Solomon Buyeye (MMC: Public Health) – Mcebisi Bass Kamana (MMC: Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Services) – Shurling Hazel Lindoor (MMC: Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture) – Thembinkosi Bethwell Mafana (MMC: Human Settlements) – Buyelwa Nancy Mafaya (MMC: Budget and Treasury) – John Mervyn Mitchell (MMC: Safety and Security) – Bradley Michael Murray (MMC: Roads and Transport) – Khanya Ngqisha (MMC: Infrastructure and Engineering) – Yolisa Margaret Pali (MMC: Corporate Services) – Itumeleng Felicity Ranyele (MPAC Chairperson) – Ntombizanele Sikawuti (MMC: Electricity and Energy) – Ncebakazi Wala (Chairperson: Rules and Ethics) |
Municipal Manager | Dr Noxolo Nqwazi |
Chief Financial Officer | n/a |
Senior Management | – Mandla George (Chief Operating Officer) – Jordan Griffiths (Acting: Chief of Staff) – Lance Patrick Grootboom (Director: Electricity and Engineering) – Annette Theresa Lovemore (Director: Corporate Services) – Seki Mandaba (Acting Executive Director: Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture) – Keith Meyer (Executive Director: Safety and Security) – Mokgethi Kabelo Mogatosi (Director: Budget and Treasury) – Sizwe Mvunelwa (Executive Director: Public Health) – Luxolo Namette (Manager: Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture) – Andre van der Westhuizen (Director: Infrastructure and Engineering) – Tukela Zumani (Director: Human Settlements) |
Communications Officers | – Kupido Baron (Media Manager) – Eugene Johnson (Speaker of Council) – Sithembiso Soyaya (Municipal Spokesperson) |
Towns/Places
Below are the towns/places in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.
- Bethelsdorp
- Bloemendal
- Blue Horizon Bay
- Clarendon Marine
- Despatch
- Gqeberha (previously known as Port Elizabeth)
- Kariega (previously known as Uitenhage)
- KwaNobuhle
- Motherwell
- Summerstrand
- Swartkops
Contact details
The contact details of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality are listed in the table below.
Postal address: | PO Box 116, Port Elizabeth, 6000 |
Physical address: | City Hall, Vuyisile Mini Square, Govan Mbeki Avenue, Nelson Mandela Bay |
Telephone: | – 041 506 1911 – 0800 20 5050 |
Fax: | 041 506 3431 |
Fire & emergency: | 041 585 1555 |
Medical emergency: | 10177 |
Metro Police: | 041 585 1555 |
Anti-fraud & corruption hotline: | – Tel: 041 506 5522 – Email: ethics@mandelametro.gov.za |
Email: | customercare@mandelametro.gov.za |
Website: | www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za |
Electricity: | 041 506 5595 |
Service delivery: | 0800 20 5050 |
Disaster: | 041 585 1555 / 041 501 7900 |