Johannesburg - With two weeks to go until the general elections political parties campaigned around the country on Saturday in a bid to get people to vote for them on May 7.
The Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters held rallies in Cape Town.
The DA held a slick rally at the Bellville Velodrome, where party leader Helen Zille sang and danced as sparklers were set off.
She urged the crowd of mostly coloured people to vote for the DA so that the party could retain the Western Cape.
“We will never allow the ANC to bring corruption back to the Western Cape.
“The ANC talks a lot at election time but they do nothing except steal your money in between elections.”
Zille said it was essential that the DA retain power in the province to show the rest of the country that it governs better than the African National Congress.
Retaining the province was a step towards claiming others and eventually governing South Africa.
“Every week is a step closer to Pretoria,” she said.
On the eve of Freedom Day, when South Africa will be celebrating 20 years of democracy, EFF leader Julius Malema asked his supporters in Mitchells Plain to stage a stay away from all celebrations.
“You don't have freedom people of the Western Cape, therefore you have nothing to celebrate,” he said.
“For as long as you don't have your dignity back, you have nothing to celebrate.”
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa was well received in Freedom Park near Rustenburg, North West.
About 2000 party supporters dressed in yellow T-shirts ululated and clapped hands as they welcomed him.
Most of the people living in Freedom Park near the platinum mines were believed to be from his home province of the Eastern Cape.
The large crowd wielding Holomisa election posters had been waiting for his arrival since 11am.
In Durban, SA Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande told the crowd oppositions parties' campaigns were limited to reports by the Public Protector.
Nzimande made the comments after he had addressed supporters in Durban's Gugu Dlamini Park following a march through the city centre in support of the ANC.
About 8000 people marched from Durban's Curries Fountain Stadium to the park in the midday heat.
The joint march saw a memorandum from the SACP and the Congress of SA Trade Unions being handed over to ANC national executive member Joe Phaahla.
Speaking to the media after addressing the masses, Nzimande said he was concerned at the “hypocrisy” of the opposition parties and “sections” of the media when it came to the office of the Public Protector.
“They can't say that eight years ago it was correct to attack the Public Protector, but today it is not correct to criticise the public protector.”
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi was at a campaign rally in Lindelani township. He thanked members of the party for remaining loyal.
“Many of those who believed in the IFP are in this stadium today. You were faithful to the cause of the IFP. For that, I thank you. You are the strength of our party.
“But now we are seeing others coming back to the IFP. Those who were led astray or became confused are heading back home, disillusioned by the new party they followed based on empty promises and empty words.”
President Jacob Zuma met with ANC veterans in Johannesburg on Johannesburg.
In Limpopo, members of Cope were expected to campaign in the Vhembe district in Makhado. Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele was also expected to campaign in the area.
ANC Women's League President Angie Motshekga hosted a national prayer day in Tzaneen.
Sapa