The ANC-controlled Nelson Mandela Bay metro’s new mayor Danny Jordaan is expected to be sworn in during a special council meeting on Thursday.

It may however not be an easy feat for the ruling party in the metro, as opposition parties have threatened to stay away from the meeting and some ANC councillors have reportedly threatened to sabotage Jordaan’s election.

The ANC would need a quorum of 61 seats in the council to appoint Jordaan. If all opposition party councillors stayed away, the ANC would need every one of its councillors to be in attendance.

Jordaan has already been sworn in as a councillor in the metro. Recent reports of allegations that South Africa paid over R120 million in bribes to host the 2010 SWC may cast a pall over proceedings. The FIFA bribery scandal may detract from his role as mayor.

Looking back on perceptions and reports following the announcement that Jordaan was the ANC’s choice for mayor, News24 compiled a list of reasons why Jordaan could be a good choice and why he might be a bad choice.

The good

– Jordaan has a reputation for being a good administrator who gets things done;

– He has reportedly undertaken to pay urgent attention to forensic reports about the metro and root out maladministration;

– He is from Port Elizabeth, he knows the area and the people and could revive citizens’ confidence in the metro;

– He is not part of the factionalism which has plagued the metro;

– He has experience as a public representative, having served as an MP for the ANC for six years.

The bad

– Jordaan has been given too little time to turn the metro around, which could disappoint citizens who have high expectations;

– He already has a high approval rating but because the ANC’s image is in crisis, his reputation could be tarnished as well;

– Some ANC councillors are threatening to sabotage his election as mayor, which could cause a further impasse;

– He could be seen to be there merely to win back the coloured vote for the ANC in the metro ahead of the 2016 local government elections;

– He will have to divide his time between Safa and metro business, which could see him branded as a “part-time” mayor.

(Sources: City Press and Netwerk24)

News24