Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor Danny Jordaan on Friday thanked President Jacob Zuma for bringing investment to the metro.

Jordaan was speaking at the port of Port Elizabeth where Zuma and a number of ministers attended an event for an update on the implementation of Operation Phakisa, the South African government’s oceans economy initiative.

The initiative was launched in 2014 in Durban as an approach to development involving business, labour, civil society, state-owned entities and government in the ocean economy.

“Thank you very much for the wonderful gift and a huge investment in this metro, for investing and believing that this Nelson Mandela metro must be true to your comrade Nelson Mandela. So you are helping us to build this metro in his name, and I’m sure Madiba is smiling down on the president today,” said Jordaan.

African National Congress (ANC) supporters attended the event in busloads and the ANC leadership was warmly welcomed, in particular Jordaan.

Jordaan said that the people of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality needed “transformation” and not “change”.

“We can build houses, host Ironman and the Splash Festival, but people need jobs..the youth in this metro are unemployed..people need jobs,” he said.

Jordaan called upon residents to make a “cross” for transformation come voting day.

“When we go on the 3rd of August, now we know our hands are itching, it’s long to wait. But when we make that cross, that cross will be for transformation for the economy and the way we vote, for an ANC that generates hope and jobs, that is what we are voting for, so President thank you very much,” said Jordaan

He further told the crowd: “If you vote on the 3rd and things change on the 4th, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Meanwhile, in his speech Zuma announced that government had unlocked R17 billion in investments in the oceans economy through the Operation Phakisa initiative.

He noted that since the initiative’s inception, 4,500 jobs had been created.

“We want our ports to be more efficient and have the necessary infrastructure to service the maritime industry and attract investment..R7 billion has been allocated by Transnet National Port Authority to improve our ports.

“We have also made progress in the boat building sector. An amount of R350 million has already been committed in the Ports of Durban and Cape Town for boat building infrastructure, creating approximately 355 jobs,” Zuma said.

Zuma said that investments in boat building and a fuel storage facility at the Port of Cape Town amounted to roughly R3.6 billion.

He added that R400 million in investment was for 10 aquaculture farm projects in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Western Cape.