Millions of South Africans are heading to the polls on Wednesday in crucial elections that pose one of the sternest tests for the ruling African National Congress in power since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Poeple have been trooping out to vote as early as 06 am local time with burning issues such as the struggling economy, stuttering land reforms and unemployment at the back of most voters’ minds.
Amidst a boisterous crowd of his supporters in Soweto, the country’s president Cyril Ramaphosa cast his vote three hours after polling bagan.
It is the sixth national democratic exercise since the advent of black majority rule 25 years ago.
The ANC’s main challengers are the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters
Some 26 million people are registered to vote in the national elections.
WN/as/APA