The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has unveiled its mayoral candidates for Gauteng ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, promising to tackle what it describes as years of municipal decline, corruption and poor service delivery.
The party announced 11 candidates on Monday, saying they had been selected to lead its campaign to take control of municipalities across the province.
ATM National Spokesperson Zama Ntshona said the party wanted voters to view the elections as an opportunity to demand greater accountability from local government.
“The people are not asking for miracles. They are demanding a government that works,” Ntshona said.
The party’s candidates include Mncedi Ndzwanana for the City of Tshwane, Vuyolwethu Zungula for the City of Johannesburg and Velaphi Ernest Ndaba for the City of Ekurhuleni.
Khayalethu Goodman Nkenkwezi will contest Sedibeng District, while Dimakatso Pinkie Masopha is the candidate for Midvaal and Pulane Mokhanedi for Lesedi.
Siyanda Afrika has been named for Emfuleni, Danny Molefi Thupane for West Rand District, Reneilwe Tiny Thupane for Mogale City, Andiswa Xesibe for Merafong City and Nnini Rebecca Mokoena for Rand West City.
The ATM said Gauteng’s position as South Africa’s economic centre was at odds with the conditions experienced by many residents, who continue to face problems including water shortages, sewage spills, potholes, electricity disruptions, unemployment, crime and inadequate infrastructure.
Ntshona said the party believed municipalities should play a greater role in creating economic opportunities in communities rather than simply administering basic services.
“The municipality must become an engine of economic transformation. Procurement must work for local people, within the law, so that township businesses, farmers, artisans, cooperatives, manufacturers and young entrepreneurs can participate meaningfully in the economy,” he said.
The party also placed corruption and financial accountability at the centre of its local government campaign.
It said there would be no tolerance for tender corruption, ghost employees, political patronage or incompetent appointments if it gained control of municipalities.
The ATM accused some officials and political leaders of treating municipalities as sources of personal wealth and said public resources should instead be directed towards communities.
“Our municipalities must protect public money, fix infrastructure and deliver services without political favouritism,” Ntshona said.
The party said its mayoral candidates were not being deployed to pursue political prominence but to serve residents and account to communities.
It said their mandate would be to listen to residents, improve service delivery, rebuild infrastructure and ensure greater accountability in municipal government.
The ATM’s intervention comes as political parties prepare for the 2026 Local Government Elections, with municipalities across Gauteng expected to be key battlegrounds.
The party said voters should use the elections to assess the performance of municipal administrations and demand change where services have deteriorated.
“Gauteng must work again,” Ntshona said.
The ATM said it was offering voters an alternative based on ethical leadership, competent administration, economic transformation and reliable basic services.
The party said its candidates were ready to contest the elections and, if elected, take responsibility for governing municipalities and restoring public confidence in local government.
