Millions raised in CEO SleepOut

CEOs from across the country spent the night on the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg to raise funds for education.

Funds raised this year will go to the ASHA Trust, Columba Leadership and the Steve Biko Foundation.

The total amount of money raised will be announced next month.

Joined by Gauteng premier David Makhura, captains of industry braved the freezing cold. 

Participants slept under cardboard structures, while others huddled around fire pits to try and keep warm, reflecting on the plight of the poor.

This year's SleepOut supports education as a means to eradicate homelessness.

For many of those who took part, education is the key to a brighter future for the country.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan applauded participants for their humanity.

"Let me add my congratulations to all of the organisers and their wonderful effort trying to teach us what it means to be human, what it means to share our humanity, what it means to share our solidarity with the homeless, but also amongst ourselves as well," Gordhan said.

Protesting students

Despite criticism and a brief disturbance by protesters, the CEO SleepOut went ahead

A group of students believed to belong to the EFF approached the event during a protest over the cost of student accommodation. 

Police used teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd of roughly 30 students.