South Africa

Politics, South Africa

In photos: People’s March, Union Buildings

In photos: People’s March, Union Buildings

Tens of thousands of people marched to the Union Buildings on Friday calling for President Jacob Zuma to resign or be recalled. For the organisers, it was a success. The vibe was very “Rainbow Nation”, with charged political anger. GREG NICOLSON was in Tshwane.

In the run up to the civil society-organised march to the Union Buildings, there was much criticism it would be manned by white South Africans protecting minority interests. In the morning, marchers filed into Church Square, past the statue of Paul Kruger. (Greg Nicolson)

Hundreds of motorbike riders joined the march. A Save SA supporter handed them roses. (Greg Nicolson)

A large police contingent was on hand but the march was peaceful. One protestor burnt a T-shirt with President Jacob Zuma’s face on it. (Greg Nicolson)

“You can’t fix stupid but you can vote it out,” read one placard as the march got underway. (Greg Nicolson)

This protestor walks near Freedom Front Plus banners. Perhaps the most odd thing about the march was seeing EFF supporters and Freedom Front Plus supporters together to demonstrate against Zuma. (Greg Nicolson)

Save SA’s Sipho Pityana walks with the SACP’s Solly Mapaila on the front lines of the People’s March. (Greg Nicolson)

Zwelinzima Vavi, with the flag, walks alongside  COPE leader Terror Lekota. (Greg Nicolson)

There was a festive atmosphere at the Union Buildings, with protestors from all backgrounds uniting against the president. (Greg Nicolson)

“Zuma down,” a young boy’s sign read, held up in front of the Union Buildings at the People’s March. (Greg Nicolson)

A number of the placards at the People’s March were creative, like this one referencing the popular movie Tsotsi. (Greg Nicolson)

Bikers ride into the People’s March at Church Square before it got underway. There were hundreds of motorbikes that led the march. (Greg Nicolson)

A protestor walks in front of one section of the People’s March. It was broken up into different sections as people walked to the Union Buildings. (Greg Nicolson)

The People’s March against President Jacob Zuma was strung out on Madiba Street in Tshwane. (Greg Nicolson)

At the Union Buildings, barbed wire was set up in front of the fence separating the home of the executive from the lawns where protestors gathered. Many police were on hand. (Greg Nicolson)

“Economic serial killer,” read one sign referring to Zuma. (Greg Nicolson)

“This is not what our mothers’ children died for,” read another. (Greg Nicolson)

MAIN PHOTO: The People’s March was much more diverse than expected, a large win for organisers. People with a range of political affiliations, or no political affiliations, took to the streets against the president. (Greg Nicolson)

Gallery

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

X

This article is free to read.

Sign up for free or sign in to continue reading.

Unlike our competitors, we don’t force you to pay to read the news but we do need your email address to make your experience better.


Nearly there! Create a password to finish signing up with us:

Please enter your password or get a sign in link if you’ve forgotten

Open Sesame! Thanks for signing up.

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options

Daily Maverick Elections Toolbox

Feeling powerless in politics?

Equip yourself with the tools you need for an informed decision this election. Get the Elections Toolbox with shareable party manifesto guide.