SOWETO, Gauteng — The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has officially unveiled its Gauteng mayoral candidates, headlined by parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula as the party’s chosen candidate for Johannesburg. Speaking at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto, the party outlined its strategic vision for South Africa’s most highly contested metropolitan municipalities ahead of the November 4 elections.
Alongside Zungula’s nomination for the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, the ATM announced Velaphi Ndaba as its mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni and Mncedi Ndzwanana for Tshwane.
ATM Secretary-General Thandisizwe Khukula affirmed that these nominees represent the best the party can offer. Detailing the selection criteria, Khukula emphasized that the ATM deliberately refers to its members as “servants” rather than “comrades.” He noted that the candidates were chosen based on their proven loyalty, honesty, and deep respect for the communities they aim to serve, ensuring they are equipped to translate the party’s policy positions into tangible solutions.
During his acceptance speech, Vuyo Zungula stressed the urgent need for systemic change in Johannesburg, positioning the ATM as the correct political vehicle to deliver it at the local level. He highlighted the stark disparities in the city, declaring an end to the “tale of two Johannesburgs.” Zungula insisted that marginalized areas such as Alexandra and Cosmo City must receive the exact same standard of municipal service delivery as affluent suburbs like Sandton and Rosebank.
The ATM is contesting a majority of municipalities across South Africa, including every municipality within the Gauteng province. With the political landscape increasingly pointing toward coalition governance, the party leadership was firm on its post-election strategy.
Khukula and Zungula both stressed that the ATM will not enter into coalitions out of desperation for power. Any future partnerships will be strictly dictated by a shared political ideology and a concrete program of action aimed at rescuing communities. Zungula referenced the party’s past refusal to join a previous coalition arrangement, citing the absence of a clear, actionable plan for service delivery as a dealbreaker.
“We refuse to be part of a coalition driven by personalities rather than programs,” Zungula stated, reinforcing that the party is open to working with one or multiple political parties, provided they align with the ATM’s core mission to do justice for the people in council chambers.
With less than two months remaining until election day, the newly announced candidates are expected to immediately begin their grassroots campaigns across Gauteng’s highly contested metros.
