Supporters of a South African left-wing political party filled streets of downtown Johannesburg to march in favor of government interventions they say will ensure greater economic equality. The march coincides with a nationwide shutdown of universities.
The marchers numbered in the thousands. Their first stop was the Reserve Bank of South Africa.
There, the marchers, supporters of the political party the Economic Freedom Fighters, demanded a national bank that will give no-interest loans to poor South Africans.
Moving on to the Chamber of Mines, the Economic Freedom Fighters demanded nationalization of the country's mines and better wages for mine workers.
The march ended at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. There, the party protested what it says is a trend of whites and foreigners owning the majority of companies.
EFF Party leader Julius Malema called for economic transformation.
“If they are not going to respond, they must expect a complete shutdown, the whole of South Africa. Gone are those days where white capital will do as they wish," said Malema.
Tuesday's march comes against the backdrop of nearly two weeks of nationwide student protests against proposed university tuition hikes.
The students won a concession last week with President Jacob Zuma announcing a zero percent hike for 2016. But some student protesters have vowed to continue because they say their bigger aim of economic and educational equality has not been met.
