DA Eastern Cape Legislature

The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. 🇿🇦

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

After an overnight stay in Motherwell, we took a taxi ride through the community. For many residents, getting to work means fearing crime.

The DA has a plan to make NMB safer, with dedicated Metro Police in every ward. Together, we can #getNMBworkingagain #Retief4Mayor

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Spent the evening in Motherwell NU10 at a local chesanyama, enjoying great food and engaging with residents.

NMB is full of incredible people and untapped potential. Together, we can build a caring, well-run city that puts people first and #getNMBworkingagain #Retief4Mayor

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

The number one murder hotspot in the country, KwaZakhele, is currently without electricity due to the failures of the ANC/EFF coalition of chaos in NMB

NMB deserves a caring and capable DA government that will restore basic services, improve safety, and bring back law and order.

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

During our panel discussion on Friday night, DA Deputy Chief Whip in Parliament, @BaxNodada , made a powerful point: this election is about uniting behind leaders who care and can deliver.

We refuse to be divided by race, gender, or the politics of the past. #getNMBworkingagain

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

DA-led NMB will establish a Metro Police Precinct in Walmer to clamp down on crime.

After the 2026 Local Government Elections, a DA-led government will move to establish a Metro Police Precinct at the site to restore visible policing, law and order, and community safety.

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Today, I visited the abandoned SAPS Fountain Avenue Satellite Station in Walmer

The need for this station was highlighted again after six people were shot and killed in Walmer last week.

The DA has fought for its reopening since 2017. Tomorrow, we make an important announcement

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

An uncaring Mayor who seems more worried about avoiding residents than listening to them

Her Kariega/Uitenhage office is emptier than ANC promises after election season

😅Luckily, on 4 November, residents can finally put the ANC “out of office” for good.#getNMBworkingagain

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Only in Nelson Mandela Bay will you see such...

In Booysens Park, potholes have become dongas under the ANC/EFF coalition of chaos. Last week, a motorist crashed into a resident’s wall trying to avoid one.

Residents deserve better. On 4 November, vote DA to #getNMBworkingagain

[DA Eastern Cape @DAEasternCape]

Today, the DA in Nelson Mandela Bay stood firm in the fight for fair access to jobs and opportunities for all South Africans. Led by JP Smith, Deputy Chairperson of the DA Federal Council, alongside Yusuf Cassim, DA Provincial Chairperson, Retief Odendaal NMB, DA Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral Candidate, and Annette Lovemore, DA NMB Spokesperson for Corporate Services, we reaffirmed our commitment to opposing unfair race quotas and fighting for a South Africa where opportunity is based on need, merit, and fairness, not political connections.
Alderman Smith shared the arguments being presented by the DA as part of its Constitutional Court challenge against race quota legislation. He also outlined the DA’s alternative policy proposals aimed at empowering disadvantaged South Africans based on need rather than race. The DA remains committed to broadening opportunities for ordinary South Africans instead of benefiting a connected political elite.
While the DA continues its efforts to have race quotas scrapped entirely, Councillor Annette Lovemore has been fighting for a fairer implementation of this legislation in Nelson Mandela Bay. The Metro currently uses provincial demographics instead of Metro demographics to determine race quotas, effectively excluding local communities from employment opportunities. Councillor Lovemore has tabled two motions that will serve before Council as part of her efforts to amend this unfair practice. During her eight months as MMC for Corporate Services, she was on the verge of getting the City to take the Department of Labour to court on this matter before parties such as the NA and PA voted to remove the DA-led coalition government and return the ANC coalition government to power.
The memorandum handed over also called for an investigation into the process followed in the employment of the 111 general workers appointed within the NMB Public Health Department. Of the 111 workers employed, only 4 are coloured South Africans, and many of those appointed are from outside the city due to political interference in the process to ensure connected individuals were employed.
The only way to #getNMBworkingagain is to unite behind a strong DA. By giving Retief Odendaal and the DA a strong mandate at the ballot box, the Metro will have leadership capable of taking the difficult decisions necessary to ensure fair employment practices and place service delivery at the centre of the city administration.
The DA extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who came out in their numbers and braved the cold, rain and wind 📷

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Quite an emotional moment for me today as I visit the Impofu Dam as it starts to spill for the first time in more than 11 years.

Whilst we thank God for the mercy of overflowing dams, we pray for each and every resident who has to evacuate their property due to the flood waters

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Tonight my heart breaks for residents forced to choose between safety and protecting what little they have.

Some won’t stay in shelters for fear of theft, returning instead to cold, flooded homes 😭

Lawlessness must stop in NMB. Thank you to all the DA cllrs on the ground ❤️🙏🏽

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

NMB Mayor Babalwa Lobishe gave herself a solid 80% rating in an interview with News24…

This was the reaction in our office when we watched the video 😂

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Ramaphosa says NMB is stabilising under Babalwa Lobishe. That’s an insult to residents.

Across the metro, people live in fear while crime spirals and streets are left in darkness. Mr President, come walk these streets without VIP protection & let's see how stable it is.

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

A Message to President Cyril Ramaphosa

Mr President, you are out of touch with the lived reality of Nelson Mandela Bay if you believe that Mayor Babalwa Lobishe is “doing very well” and “stabilising the metro.”

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Water leaks in NMB are left for months. This one has been gushing for 4 months.

We’ve seen better: a DA-led government fixed 15,000+ leaks in 8 months.

2026 is a choice: more of the same, or a fresh start.
#getNMBworkingagin #Retief4Mayor

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Something powerful is happening across NMB 🤩Voters are uniting behind the DA

A former EFF supporter said it clearly: the DA is the future. The Resident was "recruited" by Ramaphosa's admission that DA-run municipalities are SA’s best. 2026 is the year to #getNMBworkingagain

[DA Eastern Cape @DAEasternCape]

🚨 URGENT: BOIL WATER NOTICE | DESPATCH
This morning, the DA’s Spokesperson for Infrastructure & Engineering, Cllr Dries van der Westhuyzen, together with Cllr Mthokozisi Nkosi, spokesperson for Public Health, and Ward 52 Councillor Frans Swanepoel, visited a water reservoir in Despatch following credible reports that the reservoir may be contaminated with traces of E. coli detected.

As a precautionary measure, the DA in Nelson Mandela Bay urges all residents in Despatch to boil any municipal water before consumption until further notice.

We have escalated this to the municipality and are waiting for official confirmation and guidance on when the water will be safe to use.

We want to emphasise that this notice is issued out of an abundance of caution. While we do not wish to cause panic, we have a responsibility to inform residents of any potential health risks. The presence of E. coli in water can pose serious health concerns and requires urgent attention.

Further updates will be communicated as soon as more information becomes available.

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

🚨 URGENT: BOIL WATER NOTICE | DESPATCH

DA reps visited a Despatch reservoir after reports of possible E. coli contamination.

Residents are urged to boil municipal water before use until further notice.

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

Spent our Saturday in Newton Park cleaning &Mowbray Park so it can once again be a safe, welcoming space for our community.

With the current administration MIA, we’re stepping up to #getNMBworkingagain

Imagine a DA-led city where this is the norm. Unite behind the DA. 💙

[Retief Odendaal @retiefnmb]

It’s been absolutely electric at #DAcongress2026 ⚡🔥The energy, the unity, the purpose.

The DA stands alone as the party with a proven track record of good governance. If we want municipalities that actually work for the people, there’s only one clear choice. 💙