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South Africa in post-Nelson Mandela vote South Africa in post-Nelson Mandela elections
(about 1 hour later)
South Africans are voting in general elections as the country marks 20 years since the end of white-minority rule.South Africans are voting in general elections as the country marks 20 years since the end of white-minority rule.
The African National Congress (ANC) is tipped to win, returning President Jacob Zuma for a second five-year term.The African National Congress (ANC) is tipped to win, returning President Jacob Zuma for a second five-year term.
These are the first elections since the death in December of Nelson Mandela, the country's first black president.These are the first elections since the death in December of Nelson Mandela, the country's first black president.
Correspondents say voting has begun smoothly with long queues and there is an air of excitement, especially amongst first-time voters.Correspondents say voting has begun smoothly with long queues and there is an air of excitement, especially amongst first-time voters.
Those born after the end of apartheid in 1994 are casting their first national ballots. Those born after the end of apartheid in 1994 are casting their first national ballots, although only a third of those entitled to do so have registered to vote.
Correspondents say police have been deployed to areas where there have been scene of violent protests and political tensions.Correspondents say police have been deployed to areas where there have been scene of violent protests and political tensions.
The ANC is expected to win more than 60% of the vote, but its campaign has been hit by concern over economic problems such as high unemployment and a number of corruption scandals. The ANC is expected to win more than 60% of the vote, although opinion polls show there is disaffection with the country's leadership.
Opinion polls show there is disaffection with the country's leadership but it is not clear whether this will translate into a significant swing to either main opposition party - the Democratic Alliance, led by anti-apartheid activist Helen Zille - or the newly launched Economic Freedom Fighters, headed by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema. But it is not clear whether this will translate into a significant swing for the opposition.
The BBC's Milton Nkosi at a polling station in Soweto says voters are walking in and out steadily making their mark. The ANC's main challenger is the Democratic Alliance (DA), the liberal pro-business party led by anti-apartheid activist Helen Zille, which is trying to make inroads into the black electorate.
The polling station is at Orlando West High, a school steeped in the anti-apartheid struggle history and not far from Mr Mandela's old home. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), launched last year by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema, hopes to get its first parliamentary seats with its campaign for nationalising the mines and the forced redistribution of farmland.
Those lining up acknowledge the problems of corruption and high unemployment but say they are voting for all the years black people were denied the right to vote under racial oppression, our reporter says. The BBC's Milton Nkosi at a polling station in Soweto says voters have been walking in and out steadily making their mark.
The ANC's campaign has drawn heavily on past glories and on the outpouring of grief over the death last year of Mr Mandela. "I don't see any party that can defeat the ANC. They fought for more than a hundred years... fought for this liberty and so no-one will turn their backs on them," one man in Soweto told the BBC.
Another said he was free because of the ANC and infrastructure was improving, but added: "There are no job opportunities for many people."
This concern was reflected in a BBC poll which suggests unemployment is the major issue for young voters in the country, where about a quarter of the workforce is jobless.
The ANC's campaign has drawn heavily on its campaign against apartheid and the outpouring of grief over Mr Mandela's death.
"Do it for Madiba, Vote ANC!" campaign posters read, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name."Do it for Madiba, Vote ANC!" campaign posters read, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name.
But many commentators say this election could be the last to be dominated by South Africa's post-apartheid legacy. However, a group of former ANC stalwarts led by ex-Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils has called on people to choose one of the smaller opposition parties or spoil their ballots in protest.
About a quarter of South Africa's workforce is jobless and a BBC poll suggests unemployment is the major issue among young voters, followed by education. "It's an act of hard love to remind them that they've got to serve the people of the country and not themselves… there's a rot that's set in, there's huge corruption and graft and cronyism," he told the BBC.
Trouble hotspots President Zuma urged people to cast their ballots freely as he voted in Nklandla near his rural home, which has been at the centre of scandal because of its expensive state-funded upgrades.
Some 22,000 polling stations are open at schools, places of worship, tribal authority sites and hospitals, while dozens of vehicles serving as mobile voting centres will operate in remote areas. "Among the rights that we have it's one of the most important rights, to vote for your government. And I hope all people will do so," he said.
Trouble hotspot
Some 22,000 polling stations are open at schools, places of worship and hospitals, while dozens of vehicles serving as mobile voting centres will operate in remote areas.
About 25 million people have registered to vote - roughly half the population.About 25 million people have registered to vote - roughly half the population.
Police say at least one officer will be on duty at every polling station and troops have also been deployed to keep order at various hotspots.Police say at least one officer will be on duty at every polling station and troops have also been deployed to keep order at various hotspots.
There was rioting in Bekkersdal township, south-west of Johannesburg, on Tuesday and reports that some temporary polling stations had been burned down. There was rioting in Bekkersdal township, south-west of Johannesburg, on Tuesday and some temporary polling stations were burned down.
Bekkersdal has suffered intermittent unrest since last year as residents protested over a lack of public services. Many have vowed to boycott the election. Bekkersdal has suffered intermittent unrest since last year as residents protested over a lack of public services.
Polls opened at 07:00 (05:00 GMT) and are due to close 14 hours later. Polls opened at 07:00 (05:00 GMT) and are due to close 14 hours later, with the full result expected before Friday.
President Zuma cast his ballot at his Nkandala homestead in rural KwaZulu-Natal while Ms Zille voted in Cape Town, which is under the control of her party.
The full result is not expected before Friday.
Are you in South Africa? Will you be voting? You can send an email to haveyoursay@bbc.co using 'South Africa' in the subject.Are you in South Africa? Will you be voting? You can send an email to haveyoursay@bbc.co using 'South Africa' in the subject.
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