DA pledges R1.5bn for Northern Areas development.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it plans to invest R1.5 billion in infrastructure development in the Northern Areas of Nelson Mandela Bay should it form a government in the metro after the 4 November election.

The party is expected to formally announce details of the proposal on Wednesday, 30 September, during an event at the Kleinskool Sports Ground in Bethelsdorp.

According to a statement issued by the DA on Tuesday, the proposed R1.5 billion investment would focus on infrastructure development and would also include sports facilities and social housing projects.

The DA has not yet provided a detailed breakdown of how the R1.5 billion would be allocated, which specific projects would receive funding, or over what period the proposed investment would be implemented.

The announcement is expected to be led by DA Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidate Retief Odendaal, alongside the party’s NMB campaign manager Bax Nodada, PE Northern Areas constituency chairperson Georgina Faldtman and NMB spokesperson for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Sebenzile Rafani.

The party described the investment as part of its plans for the Northern Areas and the wider Nelson Mandela Bay municipality if it takes office following the election.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 at Kleinskool Sports Ground, situated at the corner of Rensburg and Old Uitenhage Road in Bethelsdorp, Gqeberha.

At this stage, the R1.5 billion figure should be regarded as a DA election commitment rather than an approved municipal allocation, as the proposal is conditional on the party forming a government and further details are still expected to be announced.