Yesterday's march was led by the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, along with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and smaller opposition parties.
While South Africa's President Jacob Zuma celebrates his birthday in Soweto' Johannesburg' thousands of protesters descend on Pretoria demanding he step down.
South African President Jacob Zuma celebrated his 75th birthday on Wednesday with a pledge to win the fight against racism.
The reshuffle triggered several ratings agencies to downgrade South Africa's credit rating to junk status, making it harder for the country to borrow money on global markets.
Party leader Julius Malema told a crowd of his supporters, clad in their signature red, outside Union Buildings on Wednesday that "Zuma is no longer a credible president of South Africa".
With raincoats and umbrellas in hand, some members of the public held up signs which read, "Zuma's nuclear deal = Economic Suicide for SA", while others read "ANC leaders, show the people of South Africa you care!"
Zuma spent 10 years in the same Robben Island prison where Nelson Mandela was held, but his anti-apartheid record has been overshadowed by scandals, including the spending of millions of dollars in state funds on his private home. But his decision last month to fire a well-respected finance minister and reshuffle his Cabinet prompted those critics to call for a nationwide shutdown and protests on Friday. The so-called National Day of Action protests are scheduled to coincide with Zuma's 75th birthday.
Toyota to spend $1.3 billion overhauling Kentucky factory
With the present investment commitment, the total investment in the last four years at the plant is valued at $1.86bn. Japanese automotive company Toyota will invest $1.33 billion for setting up a manufacturing plant at Kentucky (USA).
Zuma has denied repeated allegations of corruption since winning power in 2009, and survived four previous no-confidence votes in parliament.
"The people outside Gauteng who can't make it to the march, they must pick busy streets with homemade placards, stand in solidarity and demand for Zuma to step down", said EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
He called on the ANC members to ignore the actions of the opposition‚ saying it was their job to oppose anything and everything done by the ruling party. The ANC has since tried to close ranks behind President Zuma and has vowed to defeat a no-confidence vote in parliament.
South Africa has also been downgraded to junk status by two credit ratings agencies since Zuma announced the changes, with some economists fearing that the country is headed for another downgrade.
Also on Wednesday, the ANC sent revolutionary well wishes to Zuma, also president of the ANC.
"The opposition are doing their job, which is to oppose, don't be anxious", he told supporters.
"In 2019 I will step down as president of the country", he said, adding that he was willing to step down from both his positions if asked to do so.
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