The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is formally proposing that the Republic of South Africa be renamed the Republic of Azania. The party plans to submit this, along with other constitutional amendments, to Parliament and the Constitutional Review Committee, sparking a national debate on identity, heritage, and the country’s colonial past.
The core of the ATM’s argument is that the name “South Africa” is not an authentic reflection of the nation’s identity but a geographical descriptor imposed by colonial powers. ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona stated that the party wants the country to be “more than that,” not just a “direction, a country in the southern tip of Africa.”
Party president Vuyo Zungula echoed this, explaining that the name originated with the 1910 Union of South Africa, a structure he says was “designed to further the oppression of indigenous people.” The ATM’s Azania proposal is presented as a necessary step to reclaim national pride and align South Africa with other post-colonial African nations, such as Namibia (formerly South West Africa), that have adopted indigenous or historically significant names.
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Broader Constitutional Reforms
The proposed name change is the flagship of a wider set of constitutional reforms advocated by the ATM. The party seeks to address what it views as structural imbalances that disadvantage South African citizens. One key proposal is to amend sections of the Constitution to replace the word “everyone” with “citizens” to ensure that rights and state benefits, particularly employment, are prioritised for South Africans.
Ntshona questioned the current constitutional framework, asking if it has “assisted the majority marginalised individuals who continue to be marginalised today.” The party also aims to:
- Shift judicial power, making Parliament the “final arbiter of laws.”
- Amend land reform, specifically Section 25, to address dispossession that occurred before 1913.
- Ban foreign land ownership, allowing only leasing arrangements.
- Ensure state ownership of mineral wealth for the benefit of the country.
The move has drawn criticism. Political analyst Kenneth Mokgatlhe noted that other countries like South Sudan and North Korea use geographical identifiers. He argued that the name “Azania” lacks broad public support and authentic historical connection for all South Africans, being used primarily in radical political and academic circles.
Despite the opposition, the ATM’s Azania proposal has ignited a conversation about the country’s identity 31 years into its democracy. The process for such a change would involve parliamentary debate and public consultation through the Constitutional Review Committee. While many place names have been changed since 1994 to remove colonial and apartheid-era titles, renaming the country itself represents a far more profound and contentious step. The party’s push for the Azania proposal ensures this debate will continue in the national discourse.
Image: ATM spokesperson, Zama Ntshona. Credit: Facebook
