Pretoria – Traffic was brought to a standstill in Pretoria central on Friday morning as thousands of ANC supporters marched to the Union Buildings, east of the city.
By midday, the marchers had arrived at the lawns area of the Union Buildings, where loud music was being played from a public address system.
A high security perimeter fence was separating the thousands who were clad in yellow ANC T-shirts from the party leadership including several government ministers, Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa and secretary general Gwede Mantashe.
#ANCMarch Members have now arrived at The Union Buildings #RacismStopsWithMe #IOL @IOL pic.twitter.com/DmyErBSyel
— MojoIOL (@mojoIOL) February 19, 2016
Various speakers were addressing the crowd.
The ANC said it had mobilised society to march for unity and non-racialism on Friday.
Many in the crowds were wearing yellow ANC T-shirts written “Hands off Zuma” and “Vote ANC”. Some were waving placards that said “Register to vote ANC”.
On Thursday Mantashe said the march was not a protest, but the mobilisation of society against racism.
“The ANC calls for South Africans to move beyond merely identifying racism as a persisting challenge to uniting in action and to completely eradicate it together with all other forms of discrimination,” said Mantashe.
“In the same way our people were united against apartheid the ANC seeks to mobilise all South Africans, black and white, to contribute to the ongoing transformation of our country.
“This is not a protest march … it is a march about facilitating conversation among South Africans,” he said.
#ANCMarch Sol Cowan: Why I'm here today #IOL @IOL pic.twitter.com/INb33MWlgu
— MojoIOL (@mojoIOL) February 19, 2016
The Tshwane Metro Police advised motorists to avoid Pretoria CBD as several streets in the city were affected by the march.
“The march will move from Burgers Park to the Union Buildings by way of Lilian Ngoyi and Madiba Streets. The streets that intersect with Lilian Ngoyi and Madiba Streets will temporarily be closed and opened as the march proceeds,” said Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba.
“Jeff Masemola and Thabo Sehume Streets will also be closed. Tshwane Metro Police officers will monitor all the affected streets. Motorists are advised to avoid the CBD and to use alternative routes.”
African News Agency