Jordaan, Trollip vote in battle for Nelson Mandela Bay

Port Elizabeth – The ANC's mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay, Danny Jordaan, is hoping to get at least 55% of the votes, while DA candidate Athol Trollip is aiming for 50% plus one.

The two contenders cast their votes in Summerstrand and Richmond Hill, in Nelson Mandela Bay, on Wednesday.

In Summerstrand, hundreds of voters, some in exercise gear, braved the cold and windy weather and waited for over an hour to vote.

More than 200 people had gathered by 07:00 and the number had more than doubled by the time Jordaan arrived at 08:00.

Jordaan said the ANC had seen a tremendous upsurge of support in areas that were previously DA strongholds.

"In the northern areas, there has been a lot of interest and support. We are going to get more," he said.

He said the northern areas and Uitenhage were already in the bag for the ANC.

"That is because we are listening to the views of the people," he said.

Touch-and-grab methodology

He didn't put much stock in polls that put the DA in the lead in the metro.

"It's not a thorough and scientific methodology. It's a touch-and-grab methodology," he said.

After casting his vote in Richmond Hill, Trollip said the contest in Nelson Mandela Bay was evenly matched.

"People realise they have the power of their vote and they can make a difference in their vote. That is why it is so hotly contested in Nelson Mandela Bay," he said.

South Africa's democracy was healthy, which was evident in the fact that he had been campaigning for a year and it had been completely peaceful.

"It's been free and fair and it is a tribute to South Africa," he said.

Trollip said the turnout at some of the stations reminded him of 1994, as hundreds of people were patiently waiting to cast their votes.

This article first appeared on News24.