Thoughts on the Port Elizaberh Harbour

Black Impala Restaurant serves as a small reminder that we have yet to fully explore and take advantage of our local blue economy in NMB. Most of us are still confined within the 251 square km (Gqeberha) and the 1959 square km of the broader NMBM land mass. We have not managed to access the pristine shoreline spanning 40 kilometres of golden beaches and coastline, where most of our economic development remains a promise.

I know some people have their private property there, but one has to think beyond the status quo and build a future city in Nelson Mandela Bay. We know that Capetonians have squandered their fortunes and are selling their land and properties en masse in exchange for foreign currency that will be stored up in foreign banks and never serve our local developmental needs.

NMBM must think ahead and avoid the gentrification that will result from another rise in Airbnb and short-term accommodations, as we have seen in Cape Town. The benefit of being a smaller metro is that we can learn from their misfortunes and protect our own residents, and support those who might need it most.

I think these conversations should be part of the upcoming local government elections and drive all manifestos to reflect on the future of NMB in a deeper sense than just political t-shirts, recycling old public figures and food parcels.

Perhaps, the next time we pass along the harbour, let us wonder what life would be like if we also could see ourselves participating meaningfully in that economy, knowing that we also have a place to call home not very far from this pristine shoreline spanning 40 kilometres of golden beaches and coastline.

#LGE #LocalGovernmentElections

By: Olwam Mnqwazi