ActionSA on Wednesday introduced Thandazwa Cholani as the party’s candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) ward 43 Councillor.

By-elections will be held on July 6.

ActionSA is contesting it first by-election in the Eastern Cape, not just in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The party said Cholani had a proven track record of service to the community of KwaNobuhle, and her election as Councillor would come at a time when the leadership of NMB hangs in the balance between the African National Congress (ANC) or the multi-party coalition.

The by-election follows the assassination of councillor Andile Andries. Andries and the party's regional executive committee member and branch secretary Lubabalo Keso were shot dead outside Andries' home in KwaNobuhle, Kariega, earlier this month.

The announcement was attended by ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont, Eastern Cape provincial chairperson Athol Trollip, Nelson Mandela Bay regional chairperson Zandisile Mabuya.

“ActionSA has emerged from these 2021 elections as the success story, nationally. We are the party that is growing and we are the party that is taking votes away from the African National Congress and we know in South Africa that the only way the ANC can be removed in 2024 is when you have a political party that can win votes in former ANC strongholds,” he said.

Beaumont said ActionSA had proven itself to be that party.

He said it was important for ActionSA to demonstrate as an organisation how it was growing across the country, adding that the best way to do that was to contest elections and demonstrate the party’s strength.

“Because now we are going to be a party with a national foot print. A party contesting all nine provinces across the country and laying down a serious marker as a challenge to the ANC for 2024,” added Beaumont.

As the City approaches 30 days of remaining water supply, Beaumont said in the absence of any plan, the control of the City is important to all of its residents.

ActionSA’s Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip said it was probable that in a month the Metro could run out of water if it does not rain significantly.

“We could run out of water in KwaNobuhle and it will be the first place in this city to run out of water,” he said, adding that this was an indication of the neglect that the City had faced.

Trollip was removed as the NMB mayor in 2018 through a motion of no confidence.