African Transformation Movement: Party rings in leadership changes
The African Transformation Movement executive committee named Professor Caesar Nongqunga as its new president. Vuyolwethu Zungula, the former president, focuses on legislative duties to increase national visibility before the 2026 local government elections.
Professor Caesar Nongqunga founded the political party and is the chief apostle of the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ.
His work, leading housing and community programmes, shapes the party's strategy based on faith. The organisation claims the change in leadership is to get more support from the ground up before the upcoming elections.
Analysts warn that mixing religion and politics could be a threat to South Africa's secular framework.
Vuyolwethu Zungula is no longer the political party's president, but he is still influential in Parliament. He supports laws that limit foreign interference, is against unregulated immigration, and supports land reforms.
On 9 June, SABC News confirmed that Zungula is still dedicated to pushing the movement's policy agenda in the National Assembly.
Political experts say that this separation of powers is meant to make both campaigning for office and parliamentary influence easier.
According to political reporter Natasha Phiri, Professor Nongqunga's primary objectives are to re-establish ties with the faith-based organisations and increase visibility at the local level.
Critics wonder if this structure could cause confusion within or make it harder to hold people accountable.
Spokesperson Zama Ntshona clarifies that the division of leadership positions is done to simplify the organisation's operations. The move is a political strategy to improve electoral success and institutional focus in 2026.
The African Transformation Movement's recent deal to work with the uMkhonto we Sizwe political party has raised questions about politics.
According to Natasha Phiri of SABC News, both sides will back each other's candidates in the upcoming by-elections.
Even though a coalition could improve regional performance. Coalition talks must be open and honest to keep the public's trust.
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