Latest news with #Nongqunga
Mail & Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
African Transformation Movement replaces president in bid to grow party
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has replaced its long-standing president, Vuyolwethu Zungula. (@ATMovement_SA/Twitter) The The party on Monday confirmed the appointment of Nongqunga, the Chief Apostle of the Twelve Apostles' Church in Christ, as the new president of the ATM. Zungula, who co-founded the party and has led it since its registration in 2018, will remain in his position as parliamentary leader. ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona said the decision was aimed at separating organisational and parliamentary responsibilities to help the party expand its reach. 'This is a strategic move by the national executive committee. We hope it will help the party gain more followers and strengthen both our parliamentary and grassroots structures,' he said. Ntshona said the division of power would enable Zungula to focus on the party's image in parliament, and he would remain the face of the party during elections. Nongqunga was instrumental in the formation of the ATM and has long been associated with the party's messaging around morality, community upliftment and religious values. Ntshona said his appointment is part of the ATM's intention to further embed its presence in communities through a faith-based and service delivery-driven approach. The party praised Zungula's contributions during his seven-year tenure, saying he had 'led the ATM with unwavering dedication' and played a key role in advocating for the downtrodden and voiceless in parliament. The leadership reshuffle comes amid stagnant electoral performance for the ATM. In the 2019 general election, it secured 0.44% of the national vote and in the 2024 polls, it garnered 0.4%. Despite maintaining its two seats in the National Assembly, the ATM has failed to expand its electoral footprint. This plateau in support is viewed internally as a sign that the party must recalibrate its strategy, especially in an increasingly competitive political landscape shaped by voter fatigue and the rise of new political formations such as the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. The ATM said it hopes that appointing Nongqunga will reinvigorate its grassroots appeal and offer a 'fresh direction' ahead of the 2026 local government elections. He holds multiple qualifications, including a Doctor of Theology, a Doctor of Religious Education and degrees in civil engineering and business administration. His track record includes initiating agricultural projects, funding education for disadvantaged learners and creating job opportunities in rural areas. The ATM hopes this will resonate with voters who are increasingly disillusioned with political parties. The ATM has pockets of support in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Nongqunga's appointment comes amid a broader shift in South African politics, where smaller parties are positioning themselves to take advantage of voter fatigue with the ANC and disillusionment with coalition instability in metros. Ntshona said the leadership handover was about playing to the strengths of both leaders. 'We believe Professor Nongqunga's community-driven leadership style will complement honourable Zungula's strong legislative voice,' he said. The move follows criticism of Zungula by party members over his announcement that the ATM would campaign alongside the MK party in next year's local government elections to attract more supporters. Fears from ATM insiders are that the party will be 'swallowed' by the MK party. They used the relationship between the ANC and the In March, the MK party announced in a joint statement with the ATM that the parties would work together in all by-elections before the 2026 local government elections and the 2029 general elections. According to the statement, the modalities of the MK party and the ATM working together will be presented to the leadership and membership of both parties in the spirit of building unity among the 'progressive forces' in South Africa. The ATM already has a working relationship with the MK party in parliament through the so-called progressive caucus. At the time Zungula told the
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
ATM replaces leader Vuyo Zungula with Chief Apostle Nongqunga of Twelve Apostles Church
ATM's leadership change: Vuyo Zungula steps down, Chief Apostle Nongqunga takes charge Image: Supplied In a surprising turn of events, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has announced the removal of its leader, Vuyo Zungula, amid internal shifts within the party. Zungula, a prominent figure in South African politics, has been reportedly replaced by Professor Caesar Nongqunga, the current Chief Apostle of the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ (TACC) worldwide. Insiders who spoke to IOL stated that this move is boost the party's performance in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for 2026. Vuyo Zungula, a lawyer by training, emerged as a key figure in South African politics when he founded the African Transformation Movement in 2018. Known for his advocacy of social justice and economic transformation and his vocal stance on corruption, Zungula quickly gained visibility on the national stage. His leadership style combined political activism with a grassroots empowerment focus, resonating with many marginalised communities. Zungula's political journey has been marked by a commitment to promoting African values and traditions, within South Africa's democratic framework. He positioned ATM as a party advocating for radical economic transformation, land reform, and the fight against systemic corruption. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Despite being a relatively new party, ATM made notable inroads in the 2019 general elections, securing several parliamentary seats and positioning itself as a voice for the underrepresented. Nongqunga, a prominent religious leader and scholar, commands a substantial following both in South Africa and internationally. His appointment signals a significant shift in ATM's leadership style, potentially blending political engagement with spiritual guidance. Nongqunga is renowned for his leadership within the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ, a Pentecostal denomination with a decades-long history. His theological background and moral authority are highly regarded among his followers, and some analysts see his transition into the political arena as a move to infuse the party with a new moral and spiritual dimension. Zungula had not respond to IOL by the time of the time this was published. IOL Politics
