Vavi: MP's could change the course of history
South African Federation of Trade unions (Saftu) leader Zwelinzima Vavi has urged Members of Parliament to vote for the constitution during the motion of no confidence vote against President Jacob Zuma.
The motion is scheduled to take place on August 8 in the National Assembly.
He was speaking at the launch of the new civil society coalition Future South Africa at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation in Johannesburg.
Future South Africa includes civil society organisations such as the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) and Save South Africa (Save SA).
Vavi says they are concerned about the country's future.
"We are concerned about the escalating litany of poor services, systematic undermining of the constitution and the subversion of our hard-earned democracy by the capture of the state by senior government officials. We are also concerned about the deepening crises of poverty, unemployment and inequalities."
He says MP's have an opportunity to alter the course of history.
"Vote for South Africa and the future of your children. Don't again protect the interests of a single individual that you know will keep South Africa taking a foreign direction that we never dreamt about as a country and its people," says Vavi.
Vavi says they are prepared to turn to the courts should Speaker Baleka Mbete not allow the vote to take place in secret.
"Tuesday might not happen and whether the speaker pulls a trick and announces she will not allow a secret ballot and there is court action, we will be there and urge our people to attend in their numbers," he says.