There was a heavy police presence at Beyers Naude Square in Johannesburg's CBD on Wednesday ahead of the widely supported Cosatu nationwide protest.
While throngs of media set up satellite vans and camera equipment, red T-shirt clad members toyi-toyied up and down Simmonds street - some of them holding vuvuzelas and others knobkerries. One woman had even brought her guitar along for the march.
Supporters held placards reading: “Phantsi registrar of medical schemes phants” and “you must serve the people, not profits”.
Another said: “I gave up beer because of labour brokers.”
Hawkers were also capitalising on the event, selling fruit, cigarettes, chips and chocolates.
Maroza Hogana, a salesman who works at Telkom, arrived at the march in a suit and held a poster which read:” Middle class overtaxed. Life unaffordable.”
“I have a meeting at 11am but I have to be here to support,” he told Sapa.
He said he supported the banning of labour brokers and e-tolling. - Sapa