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African Transformation Movement president Vuyolwethu Zungula.
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has announced plans to introduce a constitutional amendment to rename South Africa as the Republic of Azania. The party says the proposal forms part of a broader national decolonisation effort.
The idea has received mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing support based on ideological grounds, while others have questioned the timing and relevance of the proposal amid the country’s ongoing socio-economic challenges.
ATM Parliamentary Caucus Leader Vuyolwethu Zungula says, “A name is more than just a name, it represents a heritage, an identity – and one would argue even spiritual ties to something. Hence, you find that when most of the African countries that were colonised, immediately when they got their independence, they changed the name they had.”
Zungula adds: “However, when it comes to South Africa, the only thing that changed in 1994 was to change from the Union to the Republic, but when it comes to having a name that truly represents the identity of this part of the continent, that has not happened.”
The ATM has not yet indicated when it will formally table the proposed amendment in Parliament.
PODCAST | More on the ATM’s proposal in the interview below:
[ICYMI]
ATM President @ZungulaVuyo moves that @ParliamentofRSA debates the need to fully decolonize the countries name and identity.
“This country must be rename to Azania, The land of black people given by God”#ATMInParliament pic.twitter.com/NlI0zaXOD6
— African Transformation Movement (@ATMovement_SA) May 20, 2025
