It is important... that we are not made to feel guilty for raising issues which have caused pain to other people in the world

Deputy President Jacob Zuma

To kick off the "Torches of Tolerance" campaign the country's top athletes carried a torch from Johannesburg to Pretoria where the main event took place.

As the clock struck midday, Pretoria mayor S'mangaliso Mkhatshwa, lit a bigger torch which was transported to the Union Buildings where it will burn until the end of the Conference on 7 September.

Elsewhere in the country government officials and citizens joined the campaign by lighting torches in a pledge to build a non-racist society.

Even motorists put on their car lights to show support.

South African has made great strides against racism but problems remain

Addressing dignitaries at the Union Buildings Deputy President Jacob Zuma said the decision to hold the conference in South Africa meant the world recognised South Africa's fight against apartheid.

He said the nation should be proud for having built a respected democratic system.

In an apparent reference to the US threat to boycott the conference should slavery and reparations be discussed, Zuma stressed that no topics should be banned from the conference agenda.

He said: "It is important... that we are not made to feel guilty for raising issues which have caused pain to other people in the world."

March

Meanwhile in Cape Town, an estimated 20,000 Muslims marched against what they described as Israel's continued racism against Palestine.

They chanted "Zionism equals racism," and "Free Palestine".

The United States is also contesting calls to equate Zionism with racism at the upcoming conference.