ATM Leadership Shake-Up: Vuyo Zungula Replaced by Professor Caesar Nongqunga

(The Post News)- The Africans Transformation Movement (ATM) has announced a change in leadership, replacing long-time party president Vuyo Zungula with Professor Caesar Nongqunga, the Chief Apostle of the Twelve Apostles’ Church in Christ.

The party confirmed the leadership shift in a media statement released on Monday, June 9. Zungula, who founded the ATM in 2018 and has led it for seven years, will now serve as the party’s leader in Parliament.

“President Zungula’s 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,” read the official statement from the party’s head office in Mthatha.

Although Zungula has not made any public remarks about the development, he is anticipated to continue being an outspoken figure in Parliament, known for his sharp criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC. He has regularly advocated for accountability and policies prioritizing the poor in the National Assembly.

His successor, Professor Nongqunga, steps into the presidency with a background in theology, engineering, and business. For over three decades, he has led one of the country’s largest religious institutions and is widely recognized for his involvement in community development, including building homes, starting farming projects, creating jobs, and supporting education.

“Professor Nongqunga is a leader and a beacon of hope for many,” the party said, describing his appointment as a strategic shift aimed at deepening grassroots mobilization while separating advocacy work in Parliament from broader organizational growth.

The ATM’s National Executive Committee stated that the split in leadership duties, with Nongqunga focusing on building the party and Zungula leading in Parliament, will better position the movement ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Discussions are already underway about potential closer ties between the ATM and other political forces, including former President Jacob Zuma’s MK Party, suggesting a possible shift in the national political landscape.

As the ATM embarks on a new phase, it emphasizes its commitment to its original mission: driving economic transformation, promoting ethical leadership, and representing marginalized voices often excluded from mainstream politics.