By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
In a shock announcement, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has announced Professor Caesar Nongqunga as its new president.
Nongqunga takes over from Vuyolwethu Zungula, who will remain the party leader in Parliament.
Fullview understands the decision was taken at a national executive committee meeting where the party leaders agreed to separate party advocacy and the building of the organisation.
In a statement issued by the party on Monday, ATM extended its gratitude to Zungula for his remarkable service over the past seven years.
“His visionary leadership has been instrumental in registering the party, advocating for the voiceless, and firmly establishing the ATM on the political landscape of South Africa.
“Under Zungula’s stewardship, the ATM has grown from its modest beginnings to a formidable force, advocating for economic transformation and the upliftment of the marginalised communities across our nation.
“Zungula continues as Party Leader in Parliament, where he will continue his tireless work in advocating for the emancipation of the downtrodden and ensuring that their voices are heard.
Under his leadership, the party successfully submitted the motion which led to the establishment of the Section 89 impeachment process against President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa escaped removal from office with 214 votes against, 148 for and two abstentions.
Ramaphosa was accused of covering up the theft of money from his game farm in February 2020 by former Spy Boss Arthur Fraser. He claimed Ramaphosa had breached the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and that large undisclosed sums of US dollars were stolen from the Limpopo farm.
In June 2022, Zungula compelled the Public Protector to launch an investigation into Ramaphosa’s alleged violation of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act (EMEA) in connection with the scandal.
Ramaphosa was cleared of wrongdoing as it was found that the President’s role at the farm was one of investor and trustee and that he did not undertake remunerated work in breach of the code. The ATM has taken the matter on review.
The ATM’s support mostly comes from churches linked to the South African Council of Messianic Churches in Christ (SACMCC). The party was formed in 2018 with the backing of this organisation, which includes various national and local churches.
The ATM’s ideology revolves around an amalgamation of politics and religion.
The party has prioritised issues like rolling blackouts, transforming the economy and fighting crime in their manifesto.
The party has previously dismissed the reports to dissolve or forfeit its independent political status in a bid to forge an alliance with MK party.
Earlier this year, 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.
Members of the progressive caucus include the Economic Freedom Fighters, United Africans Transformation and the National Coloured Congress.
Zungula said there has been no clear agreement on how the parties will work together, but there would soon be a meeting to discuss strengthening their working relationship.
There have been claims the ATM was formed by former ANC leaders such as former secretary general Ace Magashule and former president Jacob Zuma to undermine President Cyril Ramaphosa’s rule because they did not accept the outcomes of the 2017 ANC national conference where he was elected ANC president.
The MK party has already seen parties including Xiluva, which was led by the party’s now head of elections Bongani Baloyi, deregistering and joining its ranks.