South Africans vote in local elections as ANC faces key test
Nearly 29 million people are registered at about 23,700 polling stations, and voting closes at 9 p.m. local time.
South Africans began voting on Wednesday in municipal elections that will gauge backing for the African National Congress, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
Voting began at 7 a.m. local time and runs until 9 p.m., with polling stations across the country.
South Africa's electoral commission said nearly 29 million people are on the voter roll for about 23,700 polling stations.
Soweto resident Chris Mazibuko, 38, said he wants better municipal services, pointing to a lack of clean drinking water and leaking sewage pipes on his street.
He said he hopes his ballot will bring change.
In Mayfair West, resident Aisha Mohamed said public safety was her main concern, citing crime and drug dealing on local streets.
Dozens of parties are standing, including the ANC, the main opposition Democratic Alliance, the Economic Freedom Fighters and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe Party is contesting local elections for the first time.
The ANC led the struggle against apartheid, and Nelson Mandela led the party to victory in South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.
It then governed the country for nearly three decades without sharing power.
The party's nationwide vote share fell below 50 percent in the 2021 municipal elections.
In the 2024 general elections, the ANC lost its national parliamentary majority for the first time and formed a government of national unity with the DA and other parties.
