Africa Day march requires an finish to tyranny

Greater than 100 individuals gathered at Fitzgerald Sq. in Newtown, Johannesburg, to take part in a solidarity stroll for Africa Day. Activists, civil society organisations, commerce unions, and immigration organisations joined the march.

Africa Day marks the day the Organisation of African Unity, the precursor to the African Union, was shaped.

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The occasion kicked off with tune, dance, and speeches at Mary Fitzgerald Sq.. Led by drummers, they then marched via the streets of Johannesburg, bringing site visitors to a halt. Alongside Queen Elizabeth Bridge, extra speeches have been made earlier than marchers proceeded to Structure Hill in Braamfontein.

Marchers carried vibrant banners displaying their help for various struggles, from calling for democracy in Swaziland and peace in Palestine, to the tip of coal use in South Africa. The marchers additionally opposed tyranny in different African nations and celebrated victories of the previous, from the autumn of colonialism to the defeat of apartheid.

“We’re calling for the tip to absolute monarchy in Swaziland and an finish to dictatorial leaders in Congo, Southern Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and South Sudan. We’re rising on this stroll to construct unity and to share our distinctive tales as Africans,” stated Normal Moyo, one of many march conveners from the organisation Maintain Left.

Audio system demanded an finish to the “plundering of Africa’s minerals”. They condemned xenophobia and referred to as for the eradication of colonial borders in Africa.

“Our children are stateless due to borders, and our persons are being harassed due to borders. We should always struggle in opposition to brutal colonial borders to create one Africa,” stated Rose Roshoa from the Free Basotho Motion.

Roshao stated individuals from Lesotho who work in South Africa as home staff and on farms have been going through arrests as a consequence of struggles with documentation.

Mametlwe Sebei, GIWUSA [General Industries Workers Union of South Africa] president, referred to as for unity amongst African staff in South Africa. He accused the “ruling elites” within the nation of inciting xenophobia in opposition to African migrants whereas touting “platitudes about African unity”.

The march was led by drummers. Picture: Kimberly Mutandiro/GroundUp

© 2025 GroundUp. This text was first revealed right here.

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Greater than 100 individuals gathered at Fitzgerald Sq. in Newtown, Johannesburg, to take part in a solidarity stroll for Africa Day. Activists, civil society organisations, commerce unions, and immigration organisations joined the march.

Africa Day marks the day the Organisation of African Unity, the precursor to the African Union, was shaped.

Learn:

The occasion kicked off with tune, dance, and speeches at Mary Fitzgerald Sq.. Led by drummers, they then marched via the streets of Johannesburg, bringing site visitors to a halt. Alongside Queen Elizabeth Bridge, extra speeches have been made earlier than marchers proceeded to Structure Hill in Braamfontein.

Marchers carried vibrant banners displaying their help for various struggles, from calling for democracy in Swaziland and peace in Palestine, to the tip of coal use in South Africa. The marchers additionally opposed tyranny in different African nations and celebrated victories of the previous, from the autumn of colonialism to the defeat of apartheid.

“We’re calling for the tip to absolute monarchy in Swaziland and an finish to dictatorial leaders in Congo, Southern Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and South Sudan. We’re rising on this stroll to construct unity and to share our distinctive tales as Africans,” stated Normal Moyo, one of many march conveners from the organisation Maintain Left.

Audio system demanded an finish to the “plundering of Africa’s minerals”. They condemned xenophobia and referred to as for the eradication of colonial borders in Africa.

“Our children are stateless due to borders, and our persons are being harassed due to borders. We should always struggle in opposition to brutal colonial borders to create one Africa,” stated Rose Roshoa from the Free Basotho Motion.

Roshao stated individuals from Lesotho who work in South Africa as home staff and on farms have been going through arrests as a consequence of struggles with documentation.

Mametlwe Sebei, GIWUSA [General Industries Workers Union of South Africa] president, referred to as for unity amongst African staff in South Africa. He accused the “ruling elites” within the nation of inciting xenophobia in opposition to African migrants whereas touting “platitudes about African unity”.

The march was led by drummers. Picture: Kimberly Mutandiro/GroundUp

© 2025 GroundUp. This text was first revealed right here.

Observe Moneyweb’s in-depth finance and enterprise information on WhatsApp right here.