Hundreds of state employees are marching to the office of Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane in Johannesburg. Workers have gathered around the country as part of their nationwide strike.

Members of the Public Servants Association (PSA) downed tools on Thursday as part of a wage dispute.

The procession through the streets of Johannesburg CBD is being led by a truck blaring loud music on which officials from the association are addressing the striking workers.

Some are carrying posters that read "does Minister Richard Baloyi really care" while others say "government wants to pay peanuts they should rather employ monkeys".

A memorandum demanding nothing less than an 8.6 percent wage increase and a housing allowance of R1000 will be handed over to Mokonyane.

Demands handed over in Cape Town

A small but zealous group of PSA members arrived at Parliament in Cape Town to hand over a memorandum of demands.

The strikers took their message through the city centre singing old liberation struggle songs along the way.

As marchers passed government buildings, non-striking workers standing outside waved their fists to show solidarity with them.

There was plenty of war talk. At the top of his lungs, a PSA official shouted "show us the money, Mr Baloyi!" referring to the Public Service Minister.

The man said workers are not happy about having to strike, but it's necessary.

He told dozens of protesters it seems government is trying to make fools of them.

Strikers said they are willing to stay away from work for as long as necessary.

The PSA's Koos Kruger thanked police for ensuring the march was orderly.

He said the union were acting responsibly by not insisting essential services like police join the industrial action. But he warned their time will eventually come, when they will be allowed to do so.