Johannesburg - Some of the country's prominent figures have called on members of Parliament to 'do the right thing' and vote for President Jacob Zuma to step down.
"We believe that the first step towards ending state capture and reclaiming our future is the removal of President Jacob Zuma. We demand that our MPs vote Zuma out of power on August 8 during the motion of no confidence," said former ambassador to the US Sheila Sisulu.
Sisulu is one of the many patrons of the newly formed Future South Africa.
#FutureSA is the latest civil society campaign following the formation of Save South Africa.
Sheila Sisulu: Parliamentarians are duty bound to vote Zuma out of office. @IOL @IOLPolitics #FutureSA
— Noni Mokati (@Noni_M2) July 31, 2017
Speaking at the Ahmed Kathrada Auditorium in Auckland Park on Monday afternoon, she said by standing up against state capture, those within the movement believed that South African could collectively rebuild the integrity of the democracy.
"As a coalition, we raised our voices against the erosion of our democracy and good governance, particularly under Zuma's presidency, the escalating litany of poor service delivery in all spheres of government coupled with wide spread corruption."
She further said: "Our people struggled against colonialism and apartheid for centuries with unparalleled commitment and dedication. The people of South Africa have a strong tradition of resistance to any form of authoritarianism and we are determined to continue that tradition."
#FutureSA Duvenage: "We must go beyond August 8". Says country can't be changed overnight. @IOL
— Noni Mokati (@Noni_M2) July 31, 2017
Sisulu said no matter what the Parliamentary outcome on August 8, the country's citizens had to send a strong message to Parliment that the capture of the state would not be tolerated.
While the patrons have encouraged the public to use social media or take to the streets to make their voices heard on August 8, they added the campaign would go further than the day of voting and that more pressure will be applied.
#FutureSA @Zwelinzima1 to Parliamentarians on August 8: "Vote for future of your children." @IOL
— Noni Mokati (@Noni_M2) July 31, 2017
The group of patrons also included Kumi Naidoo from the Campaign for Just Energy Future, South African Federation of Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, Ahmed Kathrada CEO Neeshan Balton, OUTA chairman Wayne Duvenage, Cas Coovadia, Mosibudi Mangena, Adrian Enthoven, Prema Naidoo, Giet Khoza, Sydney Mufamadi, Sipho Pityana, Ela Gandhi, Bonang Mohale, Terrence Nombembe and Zac Yakoob.