The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) newly elected Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality mayor, Trollip was born in 1964 in Bedford, Eastern Cape.
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The inauguration was not without hiccups as it was nearly postponed as the African National Congress (ANC), which is now the official opposition in the Bay, arrived late and constantly disturbed the proceedings, with points of order.
ANC members allegedly disrupted the tense council meeting where councillors were being elected, and new speaker was also installed.
Former ANC mayor Danny Jordaan was not present. While no councillor stood to take the oath in English, they stood as one to take the oath and affirmation in isiXhosa.
“The people of Nelson Mandela Bay voted for change. This will be the lodestar and mandate of this new multiparty DA-led administration”, Trollip said.
“(Voters) have endorsed our offer of stopping corruption, growing our economy to create jobs and for better service delivery”, the new mayor, white ex-farmer Athol Trollip, said.
Trollip, who delivered his first official speech to a jubilant crowd of DA, UDM, EFF and COPE supporters at a packed Feather Market Centre, laid out his vision for the next five years, vowing that the metro’s money would be used effectively by stretching every tax rand to achieve maximum output.
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Earlier, when the ANC councillors evantually made their way into the hall, acting municipal manager Johann Mettler gave them the opportunity to take the oath.
