Cape Town - At a time when South Africans are "crying out for political leadership" they were subjected to "a lacklustre president outlining a meaningless set of new – typically undefined – promises of what he calls 'radical' socio-economic change", the Save South Africa campaign said in a statement in reaction to President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation (SONA) address.
Save South Africa is convened by Sipho Pityana, chair of AngloGold Ashanti and Izingwe Capital, and is made up of organisations, civil society groups, business leaders, prominent individuals, South African citizens and supporters of the founding principles of our democracy, according to its website.
The campaign was formed under the banner of holding government leaders accountable to the Constitution and the values they have pledged to uphold as representatives of the people.
"Last night, the president failed to assure the nation that he is concerned about corruption, or to take any steps to deal with it – for example, by sorting out the rot at state-owned companies, or dealing with the predatory elite," said the Save SA campaign in its statement.
"Even though he has concerns about the Public Protector’s recommendations about an inquiry into state capture, he could still have given a commitment to get to the bottom of the questions raised in the Public Protectors’ report. His failure to do so suggests he is trying to push the entire issue under the carpet."
The campaign emphasised that South Africans must act in unison to have Zuma removed from office.
"It must now be clear to even the most ardent Zuma supporter that because of Zuma, there is no leadership. And it is increasingly damaging to his party and the country to prop him up as president," claimed Save SA.
"We call on ANC MPs of conscience to recognise that last night was the last straw. Unless they act now to defend the Constitution, they will be forever tarred for defending and perpetuating a president whose actions and action are causing untold damage. Things are only going to get worse."
READ: Sipho Pityana at the Cape Town Press Club: FULL ADDRESS
It also called on civil society organisations to join Save SA’s efforts to bring about the downfall of Zuma and develop "a united plan of action to rebuild our democracy".
At a recent meeting of the Cape Town Press Club Pityana launched a scathing attack on President Zuma and told South Africa's private sector to clean up its act and “eradicate corruption in its own ranks”.
Pityana said the private sector should come up with its “own blueprint of how it will commit to transform the economy and help create an equitable society”.
Pityana said National Treasury “is the last frontier between Zuma and unfettered access to the coffers of the state of this country”.
“When our National Treasury is overrun it will be game over for South Africa,” he said.
Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter: Fin24’s top stories