Presidential Inauguration: About 32 000 people expected to attend ceremony

The inauguration will be held under the theme ‘Together celebrating democracy: Renewal and growth for a better South Africa’ on Saturday at Loftus Versveld Stadium.

The Presidency has advised members of the public of the arrangements for transportation and access to the stadium on the day of the inauguration.

The inauguration will be held under the theme 'Together celebrating democracy: Renewal and growth for a better South Africa' on Saturday at Loftus Versveld Stadium.

An estimated 32 000 people are expected to attend the inauguration.

"Buses will be transporting people from Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Free State are expected to arrive early. The buses will drop people off at the vicinity of the stadium and then proceed to park at Tshwane Events Centre," the Presidency said in the statement on Thursday.

The public will have access to the stadium gates from 6 am.

People who will be using their own privately arranged transportation should arrive at the park-and-ride early at the Tshwane Events Centre for the park-and-ride.

"Shuttles from the Tshwane Events Centre will commence from 3 am till 6.30am. There will be no private vehicle access to Loftus Versveld Stadium or the area immediately surrounding the venue, except for residents with permits," the Presidency said.

All members of the public who want to walk to the stadium are encouraged to go through the accreditation service point at Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies).

"No one will be allowed into the venue without accreditation. This includes those who will be utilising the Tshwane Events Centre park-and-ride. All the people that will be accredited at Affies are encouraged to come early to assist in ensuring that the accreditation process is swift," the Presidency said.

The official programme is expected to start at 10:55 am with the arrival of the President-elect, followed by interfaith prayers led by the Chaplain General.

People in various provinces are encouraged to go to different public viewing sites across the nine provinces. The ceremony will be showed live at various sites.

A list and addresses of the viewing sites, with the contact person(s) and the coordinates, is available on the government website (www.gov.za/inaguaration 2019).

The proceedings of the Presidential Inauguration will also be live-streamed on the Government website: www.gov.za/inauguration2019.

"All preparations for the event have made provision for people with disability. The host broadcaster, SABC, will have the South African Sign Language Interpretation on screen during the broadcast. There will be sign language interpreters on stage," the Presidency said.

The stadium has adequate ramp access for wheelchairs. In provinces, where live viewings will be taking place, arrangements for people with disability will be put in place as well.

Road closures have been announced by the City of Tshwane. They will start on Friday at 3 pm and end on Saturday, and 25 May at 10 pm.

The information is also available on the government website www.gov.za and City of Tshwane website.

The proceedings of the Presidential Inauguration will be live-streamed on the Government website: www.gov.za/inauguration2019.

Members of the public can follow the Presidential Inauguration and interact on social media via Twitter: @GovernmentZA / @SAgovnews and Facebook: GovernmentZA.

(With Inputs from South African Governement Press Release)