Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition
“Working Together to Get the Bay Working”
Vision
A transparent, prosperous, and inclusive Nelson Mandela Bay where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.
Mission
To advocate for accountability, social justice, and sustainable development through strategic lobbying and collective action.
Who
The NMBCSC affirms a shared commitment by civil society to act in the best interests of local communities. the local economy and residents of NMB.
The NMBCSC is a constitutional expression of Participatory Democracy. While Section 1 of our Constitution demands accountability and openness, Sections 18, 59, and 152 provide the mandate for Civil Society to act as a partner and watchdog in governance. We don’t just ask for a seat at the table; the Constitution requires that the table be open to us.
Our Latest News
- Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition Outraged by Leadership Vacuum as Emergency Services Grind to a Halt During Flooding CrisisThe Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition, representing a broad and non-partisan cross-section of society, including business, labour, civil organisations, faith-based institutions and community structures, stands united in its outrage at the unfolding humanitarian risk caused by a catastrophic failure of leadership in the metro. Amid severe flooding that poses a direct threat to both… Read more: Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition Outraged by Leadership Vacuum as Emergency Services Grind to a Halt During Flooding Crisis
- Civil Society Demands Urgent Accountability as Governance and Infrastructure Crisis Deepens in the MetroThe Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition has called for an urgent meeting with Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, warning that the metro is sliding deeper into systemic failure amid collapsing infrastructure, leadership instability and a lack of transparency on critical interventions. In a strongly worded communication… Read more: Civil Society Demands Urgent Accountability as Governance and Infrastructure Crisis Deepens in the Metro
- Civil Society Welcomes Firm Parliamentary Oversight, Urges Urgent Action in the MetroThe Nelson Mandela Bay Civil Society Coalition welcomes the firm and necessary stance taken by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in holding the executive leadership of Nelson Mandela Bay accountable for the deteriorating state of the metro, describing the recent engagement as a necessary and long-overdue moment of accountability. On… Read more: Civil Society Welcomes Firm Parliamentary Oversight, Urges Urgent Action in the Metro
- Civil Society raises alarm over municipality’s failure to act on Service Delivery ScorecardThe Nelson Mandela Bay Business Civil Society Coalition expresses deep concern at the continued failure of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to act on the urgent interventions outlined in the Service Delivery Scorecard, launched on 28 January 2026. Despite the clear, structured and solutions-driven proposals put forward by civil society, all priority areas identified in… Read more: Civil Society raises alarm over municipality’s failure to act on Service Delivery Scorecard
- Nelson Mandela Bay Service Delivery Broadcast on Carte Blanche PostponedDear Colleagues, We would like to inform you that the Carte Blanche segment featuring interviews conducted in Nelson Mandela Bay on the state of service delivery will be broadcast on Sunday, 15 March as originally scheduled WITHOUT certain interviews as advertised to date. Due to scheduling changes within the programme, the broadcast has been shortened.… Read more: Nelson Mandela Bay Service Delivery Broadcast on Carte Blanche Postponed
We support the government’s intervention, but not with a ‘blank cheque’. Any involvement must be independent, transparent, and accountable. The city’s decline is not caused by a lack of money; it is caused by collapsed leadership, weak accountability, and poor governance.
Mongameli (Monga) Peter, Chairperson of the NMBCSC
Two months before the local elections in 2021, we anticipated a chaotic road ahead. We resolved to approach political parties to introduce a ‘government of local unity’… It is time for each pillar of our society—church, business, education, and government—to collaborate. 2 + 2 must equal 5.
Trevor Jennings, Coalition Convener and Church Leader