Votes are currently being counted in what is believed to be South Africa's most closely fought elections since the African National Congress (ANC) assumed power three decades ago. Long queues formed outside polling stations across the country, with some drawing comparisons to the historic 1994 election when Nelson Mandela became president.

Despite polling stations officially closing at 9 PM local time, many voters were still patiently waiting to cast their ballots. The electoral commission assured that all individuals in line would be allowed to vote. The first results are expected to trickle in on Thursday morning, with final results predicted to be announced over the weekend.

The ANC, which has dominated South African politics since the end of apartheid, has experienced a decline in support due to widespread discontent over corruption, crime, and unemployment. Opinion polls suggest that the party may lose its majority in parliament. This sentiment for change has been particularly prevalent among younger voters who are demanding action to combat corruption and create job opportunities.

One voter, Sifiso Buthelezi, expressed the need to tackle corruption, stating that while freedom was important, it was imperative to address this pressing issue. Ayanda Hlekwane, a member of the "born-free" generation, shared his frustration about being unemployed despite having three degrees. However, he remained optimistic and believed that positive change was possible.

This election saw a record number of 70 political parties and 11 independent candidates vying for seats in parliament and the provincial legislatures. Analysts interpret this as a sign of growing disillusionment with the ANC and a desire for a more competitive political landscape. Richard Calland, a political analyst, noted that South Africa is entering a crucial phase of its democracy that could either lead to greater political maturity or increased fragmentation.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has formed a coalition pact with ten other parties should they collectively garner sufficient votes to dislodge the ANC from power. However, the chances of this outcome are slim, as the ANC is expected to remain the largest party, giving it an advantage in forming potential coalitions. In the previous election, the ANC secured 57.5% of the vote compared to the DA's 21%.

South Africans did not directly vote for a president in this election. Instead, they voted for members of parliament who will ultimately elect the president. Consequently, current President Cyril Ramaphosa is likely to retain his position. Former President Jacob Zuma made headlines when he announced his support for a new party called uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), despite being barred from running for parliament due to a conviction for contempt of court.

Notably, tensions have been high in Zuma's home province of KwaZulu-Natal, where the MK party is expected to perform strongly. Incidents of violence were reported during the election campaign, prompting the deployment of police and army units to polling stations throughout the country to ensure a peaceful voting process and prevent ballot theft.

Statistics released by the electoral commission revealed that more than 27 million people were registered to vote, with women accounting for 55% of registered voters. The largest age group with voter registration was among those aged 30 to 39, comprising almost seven million of the total 26.7 million voters. The youth vote is anticipated to play a significant role in determining the outcome of this election.

As South Africa awaits the final results, there is a sense of anticipation for potential political shifts and the prospect of a new era for the country. The older generation, who have historically shown stronger support for the ANC, expressed their hope that young South Africans would value their hard-won right to vote and make informed choices for the future.