Port Elizabeth - Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Danny Jordaan highlighted his successes at the helm of Eastern Cape's richest metro during his interaction with the business sector and “progressive professionals” in Nelson Mandela Bay on Thursday night.
The renowned soccer administrator said they wanted to provide a platform to grow the metro's economy, which was heavily reliant on the lucrative automotive sector. He admitted that the region faced the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
He credited himself for having turned around the municipality's financial woes, saying there were over R30 billion investments in the pipeline. Jordaan, who is the ANC mayoral candidate, promised to turn the metro into a place of opportunity and growth in the next five years, through diversifying the economy.
He identified the township and ocean economies, agriculture, and the creative arts, among other areas of focus.
Sports Minister and ANC head of campaigns, Fikile Mbalula, said: “We have taken a decisive action in the metro, that we'll give you the real deal - someone who knows the real challenges of the people. An administrator par excellence.” He praised Jordaan's hard work in steering the metro towards a sound financial footing “in a short period. This shows we are serious about this city. We talk to people, we understand their concerns. You know where this city comes from and what we want to do with it”.
@luyolomkentane
Political Bureau