WATCH: Some Durban CBD stores close amid national shutdown march
The national shutdown march to Durban City Hall began on Wednesday morning.
Hundreds of people converged on the city centre, slowly made their way through the CBD.
They've stayed away from work in response to calls for a nationwide shutdown by Cosatu and Saftu over high living costs.
Newswatch has been monitoring the process.
READ: 'Everything is too costly' laments national shutdown supporters in Durban
A portion of the city centre converted to a sea of red, as union members sing and dance their way into the park.
The atmosphere was relaxed and people who gathered from various unions including Sadtu, Nehawu, Denosa and Sactwu - seemed to be in high spirits mood ahead of the procession to Durban City Hall.
Loud music could be heard blaring from a sound system set up here at the park.
The people Newswatch spoke to say they not coping with surging food prices.
Most of them have not received pay increases in two years to offset costs.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Workers stream to King Dinuzulu Park ahead of shutdown march
They want the government to do more to ease their financial burden.
Meanwhile, Newswatch was told that some shops in the city centre closed ahead of the march, as a precautionary measure.
Shops along Pixley Kaseme Street are closed. The streets are empty except for the convoy of police and the marchers make their way up the street. #NationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/uLF4bQsho3
— ECR_Newswatch (@ECR_Newswatch) August 24, 2022
Marchers will hand over a memorandum to Economic Development MEC Siboniso Duma.
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