GOOD Statement by Lawrence Troon,
GOOD Nelson Mandela Bay Councillor
24 January 2026
Residents of the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Municipality are facing a deepening electricity and water crisis, driven by decades of infrastructure neglect and persistent governance failures. Across the metro, communities are being stripped of reliable access to basic services essential for daily life and economic survival.
Recent public statements by Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, including video footage circulating online, have blamed ongoing power and water outages primarily on vandalism and inclement weather. While these factors contribute to service disruptions, they cannot be used as a blanket excuse for systemic, long-term failures.
Nelson Mandela Bay does not need reactive leadership that deflects responsibility; it requires decisive, knowledgeable, and competent leaders who understand the mechanics of governance.
The city is in a state of emergency. Repeated electricity outages, extensive infrastructure damage totalling millions of Rands, and prolonged water disruptions have left thousands of residents in the dark and without basic sanitation. This dire situation is a direct reflection of a failure in planning, maintenance, and accountability by the current coalition government.
GOODin Nelson Mandela Bay calls upon Mayor Lobishe to take swift, decisive action to stabilise the city’s water and electricity infrastructure.
This must include:
- Transparent Reporting: Honesty regarding the true state of the grid and water reservoirs.
- Urgent Maintenance and Upgrades: Moving beyond “quick fixes” to address the root causes of system failure.
- A Clear Preventative Plan: A strategic roadmap to mitigate recurring outages and protect the city’s future.
The time for excuses has passed. The people of Nelson Mandela Bay deserve a city that works.
Media enquiries: media@forgood.org.za