The national shutdown of the country by the Economic Freedom Fighters and some labour unions on Monday, ahead of Human Rights Day tomorrow, a public holiday has had the country holding its breath. The protestors are calling for the resignation of president Cyril Ramaphosa.
EFF leader Julius Malema is quoted as calling today "the most successful protest action in South Africa's history" but according to media reports the scale of the protest has been limited.
The government failed to secure an interdict against the nationwide protest, but the High Court did specify that the protest may not be accompanied by any violence and destruction of property which is a regular occurrence during protests in the country.
From across the country reports are coming in of roads blocked by protestors stoning vehicles and placing burning tyres in the road (despite 24,300 tyres "that were strategically placed for acts of criminality" being confiscated by authorities over the weekend).
A live map of protests as they unfold across the country
At the ports of Durban and Cape Town the police and the national defence force are present, and staff levels are complete, with work ongoing.
Some depots around the port have decided to close but access to the ports is not impeded.
Many street vendors closed their businesses for fear of looting
Many schools and businesses closed today in anticipation of the shutdown. The Johannesburg municipal market was extremely quiet this morning, as buyers stayed at home.
There are reports coming in of EFF protestors intimidating bus operators and truck drivers, as well as of looting in small towns.