South Africans gathered in solidarity today at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to take a stand against crime in the country's first ever Million Man March.

Attendance was far off the million mark, with an estimated five thousand South Africans assembled on the lawns of the Union Buildings, but this did not deter those present from expressing their feelings towards crime levels in the country.

Many arrived with posters stating: "Ons is Moeg, Genoeg is Genoeg", "We need action not quiet diplomacy", "Robbed 24 Times" and "Evil Prevails when Good Men Do Nothing."

Protesters represented South Africans from all walks of life who were eager to declare their reasons for participating.

"It's time to take a stand for what we believe in," said 23 year old Duduzile Mabaso.

South Africa's anti-crime SMS tip-off line celebrated its 1st birthday on Thursday, where plans to extend the successful campaign nationally were announced.

Addressing media and guests at the birthday celebration held at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, Head of Primedia Crime Line Yusuf Abramjee said, "As we enter our second year, the idea is to spread the Crime Line message far and wide."

Primedia made several announcements that will see more South Africans participating in the campaign that has led to 471 arrests and the recovery of R21 million worth of stolen goods, since its launch in June 2007.

A new initiative has been launched to actively address the causes behind high levels of crime in the country, with the aim of realising the vision of a safer South Africa.  

Action for a Safe South Africa differs in its approach to tackling crime by focusing on reducing the demand on the country's criminal justice system, as opposed to focusing on improving the country's police force, prisons and courts.

"We can have the best criminal justice system in the world but if the demand on the system remains the same, we will never really deal with the problem," said Project Leader Roelf Meyer at the launch of the initiative held in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Meyer, who together with Cyril Ramaphosa led the negotiations in the early 90's that resulted in the country's first democratic elections, launched the initiative with Barbara Holtmann of the Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR).