A jovial Jacob Zuma has given the new African National Congress (ANC) Nelson Mandela Bay leader his stamp of approval.

Andile Lungisa was appointed as chairperson of the region on Sunday.

The president paid a surprise visit to the regional congress on Sunday, and called for the organisation to accept the decision "and take it as their own".

"We must do everything to bring hope to the people. And I'm glad that Nelson Mandela Bay  taking a step in that direction."

He said he was excited that the party seemingly had a pain-free congress.

"Even as I was coming here, I didn't hear about any disputes."

He said any challenges they had come up against would come to pass "but they need strong leaders of the ANC".

He said he hoped the party, which lost control of Nelson Mandela Bay to the Democratic Alliance during the local government elections, had learnt its lesson.