PORT ELIZABETH - ANC PROVES ITS FAITH IN JORDAAN BY RETAINING HIM AS MAYOR

The African National Congress (ANC) has retained Danny Jordaan as its mayor.

A high ranking ANC delegation led by Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe visited the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro engaging with residents while introducing their possible future Mayor.

The ANC is serious about retaining the metro despite market research showing that the DA could beat them.

Mantashe says it is vital to report back to the community on decisions made by the National Executive Committee.

"We have identified a mayoral candidate it is not an individual because we are not putting a group of councillors, we are putting an institution called a council," says Mantashe.

Jordaan has been in office for about a year. His brief was to bring stability to the metro. He has had to fast track service delivery and address outstanding housing issues. Now he wants to focus on job creation.

"I think from the response of the people they are very happy with what we have done in the past year, and embrace the plan that we have set out. Fundamental to the plan is to deal with housing, unemployment and youth unemployment," says Jordaan.

The metro has been identified as hot competition ahead of the August 3rd municipal elections. At least four parties have their eyes on it.

ANC head of elections Fikile Mbalula says they have confidence in their mayoral candidate. "We are not starting from the beginning, we are walking the talk, we have got the budget to improve people lives and we are here to basically boost confidence and bring about hope to the people of this important region," says Mbalula.

This visit has also been used to strengthen structures on the ground with door-to-door visits in Soweto on Sea, Zwide and Motherwell.

VIA - sabc.co.za