By Charmaine Ndlela
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has announced its mayoral candidates for municipalities across Gauteng, vowing to tackle corruption, poor service delivery and political complacency ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
The announcement was made in Soweto on Monday by ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntshona, who said the party intended to challenge “years of municipal decline” across the province.
Ntshona said Gauteng, despite being South Africa’s economic hub, continued to grapple with failing basic services, including water shortages, sewage spills, potholes, electricity disruptions and deteriorating infrastructure.
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He also pointed to unemployment, crime and poverty as challenges facing communities across the province.
“The people are not asking for miracles. They are demanding a government that works,” Ntshona said.
The ATM said it was not contesting the elections simply to secure council seats or mayoral positions, but to “govern, transform and rebuild” municipalities.
Former ATM president and current parliamentary leader Vuyolwethu Zungula has been named the party’s mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg.
Zungula joins a crowded field of declared mayoral candidates in Johannesburg, including the DA’s Helen Zille, ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba, the Patriotic Alliance’s Kenny Kunene and the MK Party’s Bongani Baloyi.
South Africans elect municipal councils rather than mayors directly, with mayors elected by councillors after the election.
Mncedi Ndzwanana will be the ATM’s candidate in the City of Tshwane, while Velaphi Ernest Ndaba will contest in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Khayalethu Goodman Nkenkwezi has been selected for the Sedibeng District Municipality, while Dimakatso Pinkie Masopha will contest in Midvaal.
Pulane Mokhanedi will contest in Lesedi and Siyanda Afrika in Emfuleni.
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Danny Molefi Thupane has been named the party’s candidate for the West Rand District Municipality, while Reneilwe Tiny Thupane will contest in Mogale City.
Andiswa Xesibe will contest in Merafong City, while Nnini Rebecca Mokoena has been selected for Rand West City.
The party said its candidates would be expected to focus on fixing basic infrastructure, protecting public funds and creating economic opportunities within municipalities.
It also wants municipal procurement, within the law, to be used to stimulate township and local economies, with greater participation by local farmers, artisans, cooperatives, manufacturers, young entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Ntshona said young people should not remain excluded from economic opportunities in their own communities.
The party also issued a warning to officials and politicians involved in corruption and the misuse of municipal resources.
“There will be no tolerance for tender corruption, ghost employees, political patronage, incompetent appointments or officials who steal resources meant for poor communities,” Ntshona said.
The ATM said municipalities should become engines of economic transformation while also delivering reliable basic services.
Ntshona said the 2026 local government elections should serve as a referendum on the state of municipal governance and service delivery.
“The time for excuses is over. The time for transformation has arrived,” he said.
The ATM said its candidates would be expected to “listen, serve, fix, build and account” if elected.
The party said Gauteng residents deserved local government that prioritised ethical leadership, competent administration, reliable basic services and accountability.
“The ATM is ready to govern. The ATM is ready to serve with honesty,” Ntshona said.
