Elections are a fight for numbers - but so is getting on the ballot in the first place. Attempting to run in 2024 as an independent, Zackie Achmat, known internationally for his Aids activism, says the South African system is rigged to keep independents out.

Under the uncaring eyes of the statue of Jan Smuts outside the Iziko Slave Lodge, about 100 people gathered to wait for Zackie Achmat to address them at 12.30pm on Tuesday in Cape Town's busy city centre.

Most of those assembled were longtime supporters of Treatment Action Campaign co-founder Zackie Achmat. Many wore #UniteBehind T-shirts and almost all had known Achmat for many years - if not directly, then through the organisations in which he has been involved. Achmat is a director of the #UniteBehind civil society group.

The gathering was to launch the longtime activist's "signature collection campaign" which aims to get him enough individual signatures so that he can stand in next year's general election.

When introduced, Achmat started by thanking everyone who turned up, as well as "the comrades from the Klipfontein district, who demonstrated for their hospital, because working-class people in our country are suffering, particularly in relation to health".

However, he said, he was "here for a different purpose today".

He then spoke about how the rules for independent candidates were set up to make it almost impossible for them to succeed and make it to the polls.

"I'm here to say the government...