{"id":16939,"date":"2014-05-07T07:38:17","date_gmt":"2014-05-07T07:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=16939"},"modified":"2014-05-07T07:38:17","modified_gmt":"2014-05-07T07:38:17","slug":"south-africa-election-polls-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2014\/05\/south-africa-election-polls-open\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa election: Polls open"},"content":{"rendered":"
Polls have opened in South Africa’s fifth general election since the end of apartheid 20 years ago.<\/p>\n
The governing African National Congress (ANC) is tipped to win, returning President Jacob Zuma for a second five-year term.<\/p>\n
However, it might lose some ground amid concern over high unemployment and a number of corruption scandals.<\/p>\n
The run-up to the vote has been marked by protests and troops have been deployed to boost security.<\/p>\n
The election is the first time that those born after the end of white-minority rule are able to take part and commentators say much will depend on how they cast their ballots.<\/p>\n
Polls show many are disaffected 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 Economic Freedom Fighters, headed by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema.<\/p>\n
The ANC’s campaign has drawn heavily on past glories and on the outpouring of grief over the death last year of its former leader, Nelson Mandela.<\/p>\n
“Do it for Madiba, Vote ANC!” campaign posters read, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name.<\/p>\n
But many commentators say this election could be the last to be dominated by South Africa’s post-apartheid legacy.<\/p>\n