Pretoria - Preparations for the Inauguration of President-elect Jacob Zuma continued in earnest at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday.
With less than 48 hours to go to the inauguration on Saturday, groundsmen at the Union Buildings continued with their work while a heavy police presence, including Military Police sporting yellow bibs, could be seen.
Tourists to the Union Buildings took pictures while a man selling soft drinks and water went about his business at the Southern Lawns, where rehearsal continued in the background.
Singers Zahara and Yvonne Chaka Chaka could be seen drawing in a crowd as rehearsals and sound checks for the cultural programme continued.
Overhead, helicopters paraded in the sky as several white marquees dotted the vicinity of the Union Buildings. Fencing to cordon off sections of the Union Buildings precinct have also been erected.
Near the towering statue of the country’s first democratically elected President Nelson Mandela, people took selfies as men and women went about their work of tidying up the gardens and ensuring everything is in tip top shape for what is expected to be a memorable event.
Apart from rehearsals at the Southern Lawns where a large stage has been set up, the South African national anthem could be heard coming from the top of the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.
Military vehicles were stationed outside the main entrance leading up to the Amphitheatre.
President-elect Zuma will be inaugurated at a formal ceremony at the Amphitheatre from 11am. - SAnews.gov.za
