Communities in Nelson Mandela Bay wary of coalitions

GQEBERHA - Communities of Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) say they are wary of coalitions having witnessed their own metro deteriorate under three coalition governments.

With all things pointing towards a coalition at national level, some voters said this could be the worst-case scenario for the country.

But voting has gone relatively smoothly in the Eastern Cape metro with only a few reports of delays at some polling stations.

Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Gary van Niekerk is accustomed to the instability caused by coalitions after being part of three coalitions.

But he said he was excited to see what will happen nationally.

“We are quite excited to see what’s going to happen nationally. I suppose everybody is playing wait and see to see what the result is going to be.”

Voter Avela Wana said coalitions would fail nationally after having experienced them as a resident.

“It’s not going to work because these people they are not delivering services it’s all about pointing fingers, they are fighting.”

But those like van Niekerk who support a national coalition said the African National Congress (ANC) will still run government as the dominant part in any coalition.