Cape Town — More than 100 pro-life supporters took part in a protest march to Parliament in Cape Town Thursday to mark the fourth anniversary of legalised abortion in South Africa.

The protesters, led by a hearse and three men carrying white small-sized coffins on their shoulders, bore large coloured posters of babies dismembered in abortions, and wooden crosses in memory of what organisers said were the 142,812 foetuses aborted since Parliament approved the controversial procedure in 1996.

Speakers from various organisations and Churches preached and prayed for an end to abortion in South Africa.

One of the participants, African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley, said Christians should not give up the fight against the "Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act," which allows abortion on demand to the 12th week of pregnancy.

"We have no doubt that change will come," she said. "But in the meanwhile, little babies that haven't been mourned deserve to be mourned."

"Like the fight against slavery, this may be a long walk, but we will be victorious," she said, adding that pro-lifers should be encouraged by the election of US President George W. Bush, who is suspending aid to abortion-promoting organisations such as Planned Parenthood.

Dudley promised to forward a memorandum from the protesters to the South African Health Minister.

A parallel protest was also held Thursday in Pietermaritzberg outside the Marie Stopes abortion clinic.

The protests are expected to continue for the next week.

So far, one abortion clinic and one escort agency have been closed as a result of protests in Pietermaritzberg.

Many Churches around South Africa will observe Sunday as "Sanctity of Life (Day)," set aside for preaching and prayers for an end to abortion in South Africa.