In Conversation With Zama Ntshona - ATM National Spokesperson
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Ahead of the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has issued a sharply critical statement accusing the Government of National Unity (GNU), led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, of failing to improve the daily lives of ordinary South Africans.
ATM argues that while government highlights “positive” indicators such as slight GDP growth and improved credit ratings, these statistics do not reflect lived reality. The party says millions of South Africans continue to experience deepening poverty, stagnant wages, rising living costs, and collapsing basic services.
A key concern raised by ATM is the recently approved electricity tariff increases of 8.76% for 2026/27 and 8.83% for 2027/28, which the party says will worsen energy poverty and force households to choose between electricity and essentials like food and healthcare. ATM blames Nersa for failing to protect citizens from excessive costs and argues that government should find alternative solutions to Eskom’s financial crisis rather than pushing the burden onto the public.
ATM argues that while government highlights “positive” indicators such as slight GDP growth and improved credit ratings, these statistics do not reflect lived reality. The party says millions of South Africans continue to experience deepening poverty, stagnant wages, rising living costs, and collapsing basic services.
A key concern raised by ATM is the recently approved electricity tariff increases of 8.76% for 2026/27 and 8.83% for 2027/28, which the party says will worsen energy poverty and force households to choose between electricity and essentials like food and healthcare. ATM blames Nersa for failing to protect citizens from excessive costs and argues that government should find alternative solutions to Eskom’s financial crisis rather than pushing the burden onto the public.
