Many in the group were wearing Save SA T-shirts, which one member explained were used as "camouflage" to blend in at the event.
They entered the room where the conference was being held, when the founder of Save SA, Sipho Pityana, was answering questions from journalists, and began singing songs, including one that translated into "Leave Msholozi (Jacob Zuma) alone".
A man, who did not want to be named, said the group was there to protect South Africa from Save SA
"They are not here to save SA but [rather to] sell SA," the man said.
- Zuma 'insults' W CapeWestern Cape community safety MEC Dan Plato has joined those attacking President Jacob Zuma for the deployment of more than 400 soldiers to secure parliament during his State of the Nation speech today.
Pityana said he believed the interruption was evidence that President Jacob Zuma had divided Save SA.
He said: "We are divided. They represent one faction [and] we represent another."
The Real Sona was hosted at St George's Cathedral in the CBD, ahead of the actual Sona in parliament today. It saw members from NGOs speak about what they felt were the real issues facing the country.
NGO Section 27 spokesman Nomatter Ndebele said the president would be approving brutality if he did not mention the mentally ill patients who were moved out of the Life Esidimeni hospitals and died.
Pityana called Zuma a limping president who was not trusted by his own party.
"He is a leader not befitting the honour of presidency . Nepotism, corruption and state capture are the real state of the nation."
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