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Our city will be shaped by those who vote
Church in the Community - Media Release in the Herald: 5th October 2026
Source: TCN / Danie Mouton
Date Added: 2026-10-05
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Politics,
Date Added: 2026-10-05
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Politics,
On 4 November, residents of Nelson Mandela Bay will decide who governs our metro for the next five years.
After years of broken promises, unstable coalitions and unreliable services, many citizens are discouraged. Some believe that voting changes nothing.
That frustration is understandable. Yet staying at home does not punish poor leadership. It leaves the choice of future leaders to those who do vote and weakens the public’s ability to demand accountability.
This is why leaders from 20 Christian denominations and large independent churches across Nelson Mandela Bay have endorsed a common position paper on the 2026 Local Government Elections.
It is an important expression of unity across different church traditions. Our purpose is not to tell people which party or candidate to support. The churches remain firmly non-partisan. Our goal is to encourage eligible citizens to participate and to help them make informed, responsible choices.
For Christians, voting is one practical way of seeking the wellbeing of the city. Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light.
That calling cannot be separated from the conditions in which our neighbours live.
Water interruptions, electricity failures, sewage spills, broken roads, dark streets and uncollected refuse affect everyone, but their heaviest burden often falls on poor households, unemployed young people, women, older persons and people with disabilities.
Local government therefore matters deeply.
A metropolitan council must manage public money responsibly, maintain infrastructure, provide basic services, plan the city’s development and create conditions in which businesses and employment can grow.
It must keep public spaces safe and healthy, prevent corruption and involve residents in decisions.
These responsibilities require more than attractive slogans. They require councillors with sound judgement, relevant knowledge and the courage to hold municipal officials accountable.
The Bible does not prescribe a political party.
It does, however, provide values by which leadership can be assessed. Deuteronomy speaks of leaders who are wise, understanding and respected. Jesus describes leadership as service rather than a search for status or power.
Voters should therefore examine the character, competence, experience and record of candidates. Are they honest? Do they understand municipal government? Have they served people faithfully? Are their promises realistic? Will they put the common good above party connections and personal gain?
We should look carefully at both individual candidates and political parties. Ward candidates should know their communities, be accessible and communicate residents’ concerns to the council.
Parties should publish their proportional representation, or PR, lists and explain why the people on those lists are fit to govern.
Those lists should include capable women and men with knowledge of areas such as finance, engineering, planning, law and governance.
A party name by itself is not enough information on which to entrust the future of our city.
When voter turnout is low, organised political groups gain greater influence and poorly performing leaders may remain protected.
A relatively small group then decides for the whole city. Refusing to vote does not make a person neutral; it hands that influence to others.
The churches’ initiative will use the weeks before the election to share this message through congregations, church services and social media. Pastors and church leaders are being asked to discuss aspects of the statement, distribute it and share supporting graphics.
The material focuses on Christian responsibility, biblical values, ethical and competent leadership, the consequences of failed local government, the danger of voter apathy and the practical information every voter needs.
Voters in Nelson Mandela Bay will receive two secret ballot papers. One is for a ward candidate, who represents a particular community. The other is for a political party and helps determine the allocation of PR seats.
The metro council consists of 60 ward councillors and 60 PR councillors. The two choices need not be for the same party.
Both votes matter, and each deserves careful thought.
Our appeal is simple: become informed, reject intimidation and empty promises, and vote freely and responsibly. Talk to family members, neighbours and young adults who may be voting for the first time.
Study the candidates and party lists.
Ask who has the integrity, competence and commitment to serve the whole metro – including townships, informal settlements, suburbs and rural communities.
Democracy is strongest when participation is broad.
The future of Nelson Mandela Bay will be shaped by those who show up.
On 4 November, let us use both our votes wisely.
Ds Danie Mouton
Executive director of the Dutch Reformed Church in the Eastern Cape.
After years of broken promises, unstable coalitions and unreliable services, many citizens are discouraged. Some believe that voting changes nothing.
That frustration is understandable. Yet staying at home does not punish poor leadership. It leaves the choice of future leaders to those who do vote and weakens the public’s ability to demand accountability.
This is why leaders from 20 Christian denominations and large independent churches across Nelson Mandela Bay have endorsed a common position paper on the 2026 Local Government Elections.
It is an important expression of unity across different church traditions. Our purpose is not to tell people which party or candidate to support. The churches remain firmly non-partisan. Our goal is to encourage eligible citizens to participate and to help them make informed, responsible choices.
For Christians, voting is one practical way of seeking the wellbeing of the city. Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light.
That calling cannot be separated from the conditions in which our neighbours live.
Water interruptions, electricity failures, sewage spills, broken roads, dark streets and uncollected refuse affect everyone, but their heaviest burden often falls on poor households, unemployed young people, women, older persons and people with disabilities.
Local government therefore matters deeply.
A metropolitan council must manage public money responsibly, maintain infrastructure, provide basic services, plan the city’s development and create conditions in which businesses and employment can grow.
It must keep public spaces safe and healthy, prevent corruption and involve residents in decisions.
These responsibilities require more than attractive slogans. They require councillors with sound judgement, relevant knowledge and the courage to hold municipal officials accountable.
The Bible does not prescribe a political party.
It does, however, provide values by which leadership can be assessed. Deuteronomy speaks of leaders who are wise, understanding and respected. Jesus describes leadership as service rather than a search for status or power.
Voters should therefore examine the character, competence, experience and record of candidates. Are they honest? Do they understand municipal government? Have they served people faithfully? Are their promises realistic? Will they put the common good above party connections and personal gain?
We should look carefully at both individual candidates and political parties. Ward candidates should know their communities, be accessible and communicate residents’ concerns to the council.
Parties should publish their proportional representation, or PR, lists and explain why the people on those lists are fit to govern.
Those lists should include capable women and men with knowledge of areas such as finance, engineering, planning, law and governance.
A party name by itself is not enough information on which to entrust the future of our city.
When voter turnout is low, organised political groups gain greater influence and poorly performing leaders may remain protected.
A relatively small group then decides for the whole city. Refusing to vote does not make a person neutral; it hands that influence to others.
The churches’ initiative will use the weeks before the election to share this message through congregations, church services and social media. Pastors and church leaders are being asked to discuss aspects of the statement, distribute it and share supporting graphics.
The material focuses on Christian responsibility, biblical values, ethical and competent leadership, the consequences of failed local government, the danger of voter apathy and the practical information every voter needs.
Voters in Nelson Mandela Bay will receive two secret ballot papers. One is for a ward candidate, who represents a particular community. The other is for a political party and helps determine the allocation of PR seats.
The metro council consists of 60 ward councillors and 60 PR councillors. The two choices need not be for the same party.
Both votes matter, and each deserves careful thought.
Our appeal is simple: become informed, reject intimidation and empty promises, and vote freely and responsibly. Talk to family members, neighbours and young adults who may be voting for the first time.
Study the candidates and party lists.
Ask who has the integrity, competence and commitment to serve the whole metro – including townships, informal settlements, suburbs and rural communities.
Democracy is strongest when participation is broad.
The future of Nelson Mandela Bay will be shaped by those who show up.
On 4 November, let us use both our votes wisely.
Ds Danie Mouton
Executive director of the Dutch Reformed Church in the Eastern Cape.
Source: TCN / Danie Mouton
Date Added: 2026-10-05
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Politics,
Back to News IndexDate Added: 2026-10-05
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Politics,
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