Tyron Dercksen (3) was present at the protest on Witkoppen Road, along with his parents and baby sister.
Fourways saw massive protest action on 7 April as part of the countrywide demonstrations which were aimed at ensuring that President Jacob Zuma stepped down from his leadership position.
Protests in Fourways get motorists enthusiastic.
Calls for Zuma’s resignation have become increasingly louder over the last week or so since the president implemented a surprise cabinet reshuffle that saw Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan removed from his position. The political uncertainty that the reshuffle caused has also resulted in two international rating agencies – Standard & Poor and Fitch – downgrading South Africa to junk status.
Protesters gather on one of the islands on Witkoppen Road on 7 April across from Fourways Mall.
The social media group, I Love Fourways, attempted to organise a march in the area early in the week of 3 April, but permission was denied due to safety concerns. Protesters then made their own plans to gather in groups of 15 people or less, as this did not violate any public gathering laws.
Two residents protest on Witkoppen Road and wave signs saying ‘Zuma must fall’ to passing motorists.
On 7 April, Fourways residents gathered on the concrete island on Witkoppen Road outside Fourways Mall. The protesters donned black clothing and many of them carried signs and waved South African flags.
The gathering lined Witkoppen Road in both directions and protesters waved and shouted at all passing motorists, many of whom showed their support by honking their horns or showing fists of solidarity from inside their vehicles.
A Fourways protester arrives at the protest on Witkoppen Road ready to wave her sign.
“I’m very proud that the [Fourways] community has come together as a nation against Zuma,” said Natalie Dercksen, who attended the protest with her two small children, one of whom is named Tyron (3) who waved a sign and wore a ‘Save SA’ headband.
“I believe that people should get a say about how the country is run,” Dercksen added.
South African flags were a favourite among protesters, with many waving them around and incorporating them into their outfits.
Protesters on Witkoppen Road stood in solidarity with other protesters around the city. Although the largest group (of more than 200 people) was on Witkoppen Road, there were a number of other protests in the area as well.
The largest gathering in Fourways was on Witkoppen Road.
About 150 protesters congregated around the Witkoppen/Cedar Road intersection and a third group of about 50 people were spotted at the traffic light intersection of Uranium Road.
Calls for Zuma’s removal will continue in the coming days, with a National Day of Action seeing protesters march from Church Square to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 12 April.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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