JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — As the November 4 polls rapidly approach, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) is positioning itself as a champion of transparent governance, promising corruption-free municipalities and a definitive end to cadre deployment in the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections.
With special vote applications closing at 5 p.m. today, the electoral commission reminds voters that two categories of citizens remain eligible to apply: those requiring home visits due to physical limitations, and those who will be outside their registered voting vicinity on election day. The application window, which opened on September 21, officially shuts today, marking the final administrative push before the main event.
At the forefront of the ATM’s campaign is a robust manifesto designed to dismantle patronage networks and eliminate political interference in administrative appointments. Speaking on the party’s vision, ATM Deputy Secretary General Aubrey Katsana emphasized that true accountability begins with radical transparency. He proposed broadcasting municipal council meetings on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, ensuring that tender processes and budget resolutions are accessible to the public rather than confined to closed-door executive meetings.
A cornerstone of the party’s strategy is the digitization of municipal procurement. Katsana argued that manual procurement systems inherently promote corruption through human interference. By integrating digital APIs with national databases, the party aims to verify professional credentials and streamline bidding, removing the opaque “shady deals” that plague local government.
The ATM also plans to formally integrate traditional authorities, royal households, and faith-based leaders into municipal planning, council committees, and rural development frameworks. Katsana clarified that this approach is rooted in the African value of Ubuntu and is designed to foster social stability and combat substance abuse. While the Municipal Structures Act already allows for a percentage of seats to be allocated to senior traditional leaders, the ATM intends to expand this inclusive governance model into urban areas as well. Katsana stressed that all traditional and religious representation would strictly align with the South African Constitution, ensuring no cultural or religious doctrine supersedes national law.
Economic regeneration and youth empowerment form another critical pillar of the manifesto. The party has pledged to upgrade rural infrastructure, including roads, water delivery systems, and electrification in neglected township areas. To support informal economies, the ATM plans to streamline regulations, provide access to trade spaces, and offer micro-grants to local entrepreneurs and spaza shop owners. For the youth, the party proposes municipal youth development funds, localized quotas for young people in municipal projects, and active partnerships with TVET colleges to ensure graduates gain practical experience rather than losing out to large conglomerates.
On the electoral front, the ATM is fielding 7,050 candidates nationwide, marking the third-highest number of candidates in the race and representing a threefold increase from the 2021 elections. Katsana highlighted that the party is targeting significant improvements in its traditional strongholds, including the Eastern Cape, eThekwini, Mpumalanga, and the City of Johannesburg, where prominent figure Vuyani Zungula is leading the charge as a candidate for mayor.
Formed in 2018, the ATM first contested the 2019 general elections, securing two seats. The party later expanded its footprint by winning 53 seats in the 2021 Local Government Elections and securing a seat in the 2024 general elections.
When questioned about post-election coalition politics, Katsana declared that the party has no red lines and remains open to partnering with any political party, provided the prospective partners demonstrate integrity and a commitment to people-centered policies.
Addressing current legal developments, Katsana confirmed the ATM’s intervention in the ongoing Constitutional Court case between the ANC and the Electoral Commission. The party firmly opposes any 11th-hour procedural changes or delays to the election timeline. Katsana stated that while the ATM will uphold whatever ruling the Constitutional Court delivers, the situation highlights a broader culture of unaccountability, noting that responsible political entities should be accustomed to meeting strict submission deadlines without requiring last-minute extensions.
As the countdown to November 4 continues, the ATM is banking on its extensive community consultation process and a renewed roster of community-driven candidates to deliver a decisive mandate for ethical, inclusive, and economically vibrant local governance.
