Cape Town - Athlone Stadium, about a 10-minute drive from the city centre, is expected be packed to capacity today as Capetonians rally to celebrate Human Rights Day.
The area around the stadium was a hive of activity this morning as throngs of people of all ages began to arrive for the national event, with a huge contingent of police maintaining their presence as hired buses dropped off people from various parts of the coastal city.
The weather is set be a maximum of 24 degrees, and is likely to prove perfect for the proceedings. President Jacob Zuma is expected to address the crowd and nation at large at 11.45am.
Western Cape acting Premier Patricia de Lille, National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu and Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe are also expected to speak.
Thirteen-year-old Louders Saunders from the surrounding community, who came with a group of friends, said they wanted to hear Zuma speak about children's rights and also against crime.
"People carry guns in our area, it's not right," she said.
Linda Sisanda, a community builder from Kraaifontein, said he had brought a group of the elderly to hear Zuma talk about their rights.
"Sometimes the elderly are left out in the education around their rights, that's why I brought them," he said.
Even before the President arrived, people were already singing and dancing in the terraces inside the stadium. High profile artists such as Jonas Gwangwa are expected to provide entertainment later in the day.
