As he vies to become the ANC's mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay, Andile Lungisa says restoring service delivery depends on returning the party to an outright majority.

After much debate on his eligibility to contest the mayoral seat in Nelson Mandela Bay, Andile Lungisa is in the clear and has vowed to lead the ANC towards a majority vote -- the only way to return stability to the metro, he says.

Lungisa was embroiled in a high-profile case after he struck DA councillor Rano Kayser with a glass jar in 2016 and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was released on parole after serving two months.

While Lungisa has secured backing from most ANC branches in the region and the Progressive Youth Alliance, the ANC Veterans' League has questioned whether he should be considered for the position because of his conviction.

Speaking to Daily Maverick, Lungisa said he did not just wake up one day and decide that he wanted to become Nelson Mandela Bay's mayor, but was answering the call from community members to take on the position.

"It's not an easy task, but the structures of the ANC and the communities of Nelson Mandela Bay in the form of business, churches and civil society have spoken. I won't stand against that. It's my responsibility...