Tshwane ready to welcome thousands of guests for inauguration

Loftus Versfeld stadium is expected to house about 32 000 people for the presidential inauguration on Saturday, Rekord East reports.

Metro spokesperson said Tshwane is ready to welcome the large number who will arrive from 03:00 by buses and private vehicles from various areas in Gauteng and neighbouring provinces.

The total capacity of the stadium is more than 50 000.

This comes after South Africa recently emerged from successful national and provincial elections.

Acting director-general of the government communication and information system Phumla Williams said South African history would be made as it was the first time a presidential inauguration would be held at Loftus Versfeld stadium instead of the Union Buildings.

“We chose the stadium because it is more cost-effective compared to using the Union Buildings, which carries high preparation costs, in particular, the preparation of the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.”

Williams said the government was happier using a least costly venue.

“The other reason for electing the stadium is for the inauguration to be as inclusive as possible by allowing the main events of the inauguration of the president-elect to take place in one venue.”

The inauguration will see the country’s sixth democratically elected president of South Africa sworn in under the theme – together celebrating democracy: renewal and growth for a better South Africa.

Williams said attendees expected were all heads of state and governments of the Southern African Development Community, representatives from the continental regional economic blocks, former liberation movements, fraternal countries, the African Union, United Nations, members of the diplomatic corps and eminent persons and former presidents of the republic.

“We have invited 4 500 guests from various sectors of society, including parliamentarians, the judiciary, ministers and deputy ministers, premiers, MECs, executive mayors and the religious sector.

“We have limited the invitation to the heads of state in line with our cost-cutting measures,” she said.

The ceremony coincides with Africa Day, which is a day the African continent celebrate the establishment of the African Union.

The inauguration also comes at a time when South Africa was celebrating 25 years of freedom.

Tshwane metro police spokesperson senior superintendent Isaac Mahamba said more than 200 buses from all the provinces in South Africa would arrive in Pretoria.

“The Tshwane metro police department with other law enforcement agencies will deploy members along venue routes for traffic control and total road closures in Soutpansberg, Loftus and Hatfield.”

He said Rietondale Park would also be used as a park-and-ride area for invited guests.

Pretoria motorists were urged to take note of road closures (yet to be announced) on Friday from 15:00 until Saturday.