ATM announces Vuyo Zungula as Johannesburg mayoral candidate - IOL

The African Transformation Movement's parliamentary leader, Vuyo Zungula, has been announced has the Johannesburg mayoral candidate.

African Transformation Movement (ATM) has named its former president, Vuyo Zungula, as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The party also announced Mncedi Ndzwanana as its candidate for the City of Tshwane and Velaphi Ndaba as its candidate for the City of Ekurhuleni.

Zungula, who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2019, will contest Johannesburg in a crowded political field that includes prominent candidates from rival parties.

South Africa’s major political parties are revealing their mayoral candidates ahead of the November 4 local government elections. The DA, EFF, ActionSA, MK Party, and others have named contenders for key metros, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, eThekwini, and Cape Town.

Among those in the race are DA veteran Helen Zille and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba.

His campaign will focus on economic transformation, protecting township economies and supporting local businesses and enterprises.

Zungula founded the ATM and served as its president from its formation until June 2025.

He was replaced as party president by Professor Caesar Nongqunga, head of the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ, following a leadership change by the party’s National Executive Committee.

He subsequently stepped down from the presidency while remaining involved in Parliament and continuing to work on the party’s legislative programme.

Zungula currently serves on several parliamentary structures, including the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.

He was also involved in the Section 89 impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala matter and serves as an alternate member of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development.

In Tshwane, Ndzwanana, who is the city’s current Speaker, will face candidates including ActionSA’s Nasiphi Moya, DA’s Cilliers Brink, EFF’s Omphile Maotwe, MK Party’s Nkele Annie Matime and BOSA’s Martha Moshiga.

With three Gauteng metros now firmly in its sights, the ATM is betting on familiar faces to turn its political message into electoral gains.