The South African National Civic Organization (Sanco) has given President Cyril Ramaphosa until the 24th of this month, just before Christmas, to respond to the memorandum of demands.
Civil society groups marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to highlight pressing social issues affecting South Africans.
One of these, they argue, is illegal immigration, which puts enormous pressure on the country's social system while South Africa grapples with its own challenges, including high crime, unemployment and poverty. They marched from Burgers Park to Unionville, where they voiced their grievances. High electricity costs were one of their agenda items.
They came from all parts of the country to stand united against illegal immigration and many other social challenges in South Africa. Recent food poisoning cases, some related to spaza shops selling expired food, formed part of their main protest.
“Our children are under attack and the president must do something. Spaza stores must be returned to South Africans,” the resident said.
Sanco general secretary Mike Soko addressed the crowd and called on the president to set up a special participation committee to prioritize their demands.
“We want feedback by Christmas or we will retaliate with even bigger marches,” said Mike Soko, Sanco's general secretary.
They also demand that other service delivery issues be prioritized and stronger measures against corruption be taken.
Video: SANCO leads march to Union Buildings
