Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Mmusi Maimane insists that President Jacob Zuma is but one part of the problem facing South Africa.

He said getting rid of Zuma and the African National Congress (ANC) would allow for a government that will steer the country away from economic despair.

"This thing whether we deal with Zuma or not is but one step in a long term process," said Maimane.

He was speaking to News24 on the sidelines of a media briefing where his party was celebrating a year of being in charge of Tshwane, Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay.

The DA clinched control of the three metros following the ANC’s dismal showing in the 2016 municipal elections.

"We can’t resolve the ANC’s problems on the floor of Parliament. Imagine now we have to convene a government when in 2018 South Africa will be faced with a recession, junk status... You want a government that will steer us away from that, not one that is going to resolve party problems," explained the DA leader.

Maimane reiterated calls made by DA parliamentary Chief Whip John Steeinhuisen who said the sooner the country holds elections, the better.

My job is at one level the motion of no confidence on the other I am travelling across the country saying to people let’s bring change, Maimane said to News24.

He said the country needed a new beginning.

"We can remove Zuma but still be left with Shaun Abrahams. Eskom is in crisis, junk status, the Guptas are still around so at one level we need a reset, life is getting too hard for too many people," he said.

Waiting to hear from Mbete

Parties are still waiting for the Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete to announce whether she will allow the August 8 motion of no confidence in Zuma to be done by secret ballot - with some among the opposition already predicting that she will refuse to allow it at the last minute.

"The first question is, on what grounds? Remember when the Constitutional Court gave its judgment, it said there must be evidence of intimidation, evidence of bribery, the fact that people are being intimidated, the ANC is doing that so that’s why we say we have to allow her to apply her discretion and then see the reasons," said Maimane.

He said if Mbete failed to deliver reasons that were consistent with the ConCourt the DA would start processes to challenge her decision.