Polokwane - Thousands of people dressed in yellow and red T-shirts gathered outside the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Thursday for Cosatu's May Day rally.
Groups of people marched up and down the road outside the stadium singing songs in support of the African National Congress.
People started streaming into the stadium just before 10.30am as loud music played over the sound system.
President Jacob Zuma, Congress of SA Trade Unions president Sidumo Dlamini and SA Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande are expected to address the rally.
A stage decorated with yellow, green, black, and red balloons had been erected on the field. There was a heavy police presence and sniffer dogs were brought into the stadium during a security check.
The rally is being held less than a week before the May 7 elections. - Sapa