DIEPSLOOT, SOUTH AFRICA — South Africans lined up before dawn Wednesday in chilly temperatures for an election expected to slightly narrow the ruling party's large parliamentary majority, yet still result in the installation of controversial leader Jacob Zuma as president.
A large turnout was reported, and in some areas election officials ran short of ballot papers and had to call for more. Results were expected today.
Despite Zuma's extraordinary political comeback from corruption charges filed in 2005 -- and dropped two weeks ago -- the African National Congress faces its toughest challenge since it took control in the nation's first democratic vote in 1994. Many South Africans are disillusioned by continuing high unemployment, crime and a shortage of adequate housing.
For the first time, the ANC faced a sizable black opposition party, the Congress of the People, or COPE, formed by former ANC members. The other major opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, is led by a white woman, Helen Zille.
The South African president is elected by the parliament, and Zuma is expected to be voted in to office early next month. Yet for some voters, the early euphoria of democracy has faded.
"Actually, I don't know why I'm voting," said Victoria Jonathon, 27, who had waited hours to cast her ballot. "I'm still staying in a shack! That makes me very angry!"
She voted for the ANC, but said it would be the last time unless there is real change before the next national election. "I don't see change in five years, no change. I won't vote ANC again, I'll vote for someone else."
Gigi Mafifi, 33, an insurance salesman, said he usually votes ANC but decided to cast his ballot in favor of a small opposition party.
"The quicker the small parties grow, the better it is for South Africa," he said. "I haven't got anything against the ANC and COPE, but I think they need to be shaken up. We need to shock them a bit.
"Once the ANC doesn't have the majority in the parliament, they'll start to listen."
On the other hand, Solomon Mapheto, 59, a pensioner, said he will always support the party. "I voted ANC because they stopped apartheid. I don't see any other party for me but the ANC."
The ANC won 69.7% of the vote in the 2004 elections. Opinion polls suggest that this time it will get about two-thirds of the vote -- the critical level required for it to change the constitution at will. The Democratic Alliance's campaign slogan, "Stop Zuma," urged voters to deprive the ANC of a two-thirds majority.
