The colourful parade brought the city to a standstill with ordinary community members in traditional attire. ANC Women's League members and nurses danced and ululated to celebrate Dlamini-Zuma's achievement as the first woman to lead the AU.

Dlamini-Zuma, metro police in bikes and on horses, and uMkhonto weSizwe members walked alongside KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Durban mayor James Nxumalo and his deputy Nomvuzo Shabalala.

Many people left their shopping to catch a glimpse of Dlamini-Zuma as she walked from King Dinizulu Park to the city hall.

Nxumalo said the municipality saw it fit to honour Dlamini-Zuma before she left for Addis Ababa. He said the city was very proud of the role she had played in changing the lives of people in the city and the country at large.

"It would have not been a good thing for her to leave without us saying 'thank you'. We support her and we have no doubt that she will make us proud as a country and as the city of Durban. Wherever she goes, she must know that she has our support."

Dhlomo said the number of nurses that took part in the parade showed that Dlamini-Zuma had left a solid foundation in the health department.

"It's very humbling to arrive home and find such a welcoming honour. I'm very grateful to the ANC who sent me to Parliament after our first democracy," Dlamini-Zuma said, overwhelmed by emotions.