On the Indaba Show this week, host Steven Taylor discusses politics with African Transformation Movement (ATM) president Vuyo Zungula and the recent political events that have rocked the country.
Originally from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, Zungula went to university in Gqeberha where he saw the daily struggles of the student with issues of lack of funding and that the education system does not cater for the needs of the people.
In 2018, Zungula found himself part of religious organizations and churches, which then took a decision that South Africa could not continue in its current state. These groups then formed the political party, now known as ATM.
“We had a view of transforming politics by having more humane politics whereby even though we may differ when it comes to our views we can still take the country forward. However, we should not allow those views to actually supersede the general interest of wanting to improve the lives of the people that we ought to represent,” he said.
Zungula said when ATM joined Parliament in 2019 they were exposed to how many of the members of parliament are self-interested.
“They don’t care about anything, they don’t care about the majority of the people that live in squalor,” he said.
Speaking on the recent special sitting of the National Assembly voting on the Phala Phala report, Zungula said the president of a country should be held accountable.
“We are focused on holding the President accountable and making sure that as long as he is the president of a country, he must not violate the Constitution,” he said.
Taylor askes Zungula what he would do differently if he were to become president of the country tomorrow, with this he responds:
“The first thing I will do is to deal with the economy. I would make the government spending to move away from being dominated by big business and rather to small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs). And to make sure that they all of the districts have factories that will produce basic goods that are used across the different areas,” he said.