“Zuma Must Go” reverberated through the streets of the Cape Town CBD as throngs of Capetonians stayed out of work for a mass march to Parliament. Cape Town was brought to a virtual standstill as tens of thousands of South Africans mobilised together to protest the recent decisions made by President Jacob Zuma, with unequivocal calls for him to step down. Businesses were forced to close up shop, as hundreds of employees stayed out of work for what was called the ‘Nationwide Shutdown’.

Activities in the Mother City kicked off at 10am with a human chain in various parts of the city, such as Klipfontein road in Athlone, the main road in Mowbray and Claremont, Voortrekker road in Parow and Muizenberg stretching all the way to the CBD. The message was clear: President Jacob Zuma must resign.

The protests in Mowbray ran along the main road, where protesters lined up both sides of the road carrying signs that said “Zuma must fall”. While most protesters stood silently with their signs, a small group of women from ‘Ons Plek’ shelter for the homeless were singing struggle songs and cheering.

A small group of people turned out at the corner of Kromboom and Jan Smuts drive in Athlone holding placards. Some demonstrators VOC News spoke to said they still believe in the ANC but not in President Zuma as a leader. Many Muslim people came out showing their support, before rushing off to Jumuah. Motorists were seen honking and hooting, some with posters displaying their support.

 

By midday, large crowds had gathered at Keizergracht for the start of a mass march to Parliament. People from across the spectrum gathered with plackards , banners and t-shirts, stringing struggle songs through Darling street, Buitengracht and Roeland Street to Parliament.

One group of demonstrators from Mitchell’s Plain said while Zuma should resign, they are angered by the lack of leadership by the ANC.

“We don’t believe in the ANC anymore. They too must fall,” said Zainab Tagodien.

“Nelson Mandela’s ANC is long gone. This is Jacob Zuma’s ANC and they are all a bunch of useless, inadequate, ill leaders,” added Rehana Scot.

VOC reporters said there was an underlying unity among all ethnicities at the pickets and protest, with predominantly white protesters.

“The number of picketers on the sides of the roads were not as much as expected, even though they are in their thousands. Besides the obvious presence of the poorer class at these marches, there is a big presence of middle to upper class South Africans,” added VOC reporter Thakira Desai.

ANC supporters in the CBD criticized the march for being mostly white and driven by the DA. It accused marchers of having narrow interests.

“This march is not about South Africa but about the DA agenda…they want to remove the president. The president did the right thing. He can hire and fire, according to the Constitution,” said one ANC supporter.

“It doesn’t mean that he is black that he is stupid. The president is intelligent. I can stand here as an ANC member and say that the ANC sent me to school, During apartheid, we would never have had an education.”

 

Popular Cape Town comedian Mark Lottering spread his humour at the march.

“I get very upset when I think about Jacon Zuma. I wish he can take a long holiday,” he quipped.

“No one voted for the Guptas. I think we all agree that the countey is being driven into the ground. We will protect our country. My hope is that we can overcome this, we are a very strong nation. Together we can get through us.”

One the issue of the protests being underpinned by a racist middle class agenda, Lottering urged South Africans to move beyond race.

“You cannot exist in South Africa withtout talking about race. But there are instances like today, as painful as is it, where you have beyond that as certain issues needs all of us….all colours.”

Some protesters emphasized the need for South Africans to be active citizens and not apathetic towards the political situation. There was a call on Capetonians to get more involved in the social challenges facing the country.  One resident from Crawford who is part of the neighbourhood watch is getting residents in his area to start a local Zuma Must Go campaign.

Pam Jackson, the director of Ons Plek project, an NGO for female street children, said the cabinet reshuffle would affect their finances.

“What ever Zuma does affects our fundraising and the number of donations we get in. We also want to show our young girls what democracy is. We are teaching them practically by voicing our concerns.”