Strict security measures will remain in force as South Africans celebrate New Year’s Day on Tuesday, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported.
Police and traffic officials were out in force on Monday night as people saw in 2008 with carnivals, concerts and private parties.
In Pretoria, up to 20 000 people packed Church Square for a New Year’s music festival and fireworks display, the SABC said.
In Johannesburg, hundreds of people participated in a street carnival — which started in Hillbrow and ended in Newtown — where a music concert was held to see in the New Year. Police were out in force to contain rowdy elements, the broadcaster said.
In Cape Town, thousands of people lined the streets on Monday night in support of the Cape Malay minstrels choirs.
In the Northern Cape, police said they experienced the most peaceful New Year’s celebrations in years.
Hundreds of law-enforcement officers were deployed around Kimberley, Galeshewe and Roodepan as part of end-of-the-year crime-prevention strategies.
Police spokesperson Tony Modise told the SABC that no serious incidents were reported. Hundreds of residents of Polokwane celebrated the start of the New Year at the Social Club ground next to the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Limpopo, the SABC said. — Sapa