The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has outlined its conditions for participating in a coalition government in Johannesburg, with its mayoral candidate, Vuyo Zungula, emphasizing the need for a written agreement on governance and accountability. Zungula stated that the party would not commit to supporting a coalition without a clear plan for addressing the city's problems. The ATM is positioning itself for a potentially hung Johannesburg council after the November 4 local government elections.
Zungula cited the party's previous experience in coalition governments, including its participation in Joburg's coalition administration, where an ATM representative served as a member of the mayoral committee for about 16 months. He also mentioned the party's experience in Mogale City, where an ATM councillor became the municipality's mayor in April 2023. These experiences have taught the party the importance of written agreements in ensuring accountability and continuity in government.
The ATM's proposed conditions for Johannesburg include improving the city's financial management, strengthening its institutional capacity, addressing the non-compliance of spaza shops, and tackling hijacked buildings. Zungula emphasized that financial management must be prioritized to address the underlying problems contributing to the city's governance and service delivery challenges. A coalition agreement must also contain a programme of action setting out what the incoming administration intends to achieve during its five-year term.
For residents, Zungula said the immediate priority is getting the basics right, including reliable water and electricity supply, functioning streetlights, maintained roads, and improved safety. He stated that residents are prepared to wait for more complex problems to be resolved if the city can demonstrate that it is addressing essential services and delivering on its commitments. The ATM's position comes as smaller parties prepare to negotiate their influence in councils where larger parties fall short of a majority.
Zungula's Johannesburg candidacy represents a shift from his high-profile parliamentary role to a direct contest for executive power in one of the country's most politically contested metros. He has been a prominent voice in parliamentary efforts to hold President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable over the Phala Phala farm scandal. The ATM's decision to field Zungula in Johannesburg followed the party's candidate selection process, which involved consultations with community structures and other local formations.
Rather than focusing on which party it might support after the election, Zungula said the ATM is concentrating on what it believes a future administration needs to do differently. The party's final position on coalition negotiations will be determined after the election, when the results establish the balance of power in the council. Zungula emphasized that the party is agitating at a policy level, seeking to ensure that the city's residents do not continue to suffer.
The ATM secured about 0.62% of the total votes across all ballots nationally in the 2021 local government elections. Despite its relatively small electoral support, the party has participated in coalition arrangements that have given it opportunities to hold executive positions in municipalities. The party's experience in coalition governments has informed its approach to negotiations in Johannesburg, with Zungula emphasizing the need for a written agreement to ensure accountability.
Key points
- The ATM wants a written agreement on governance and accountability in any coalition arrangement.
- The party's proposed conditions for Johannesburg include improving financial management and addressing non-compliance of spaza shops.
- Zungula emphasized the need for a clear plan to address the city's problems and ensure accountability in government.
