Audio By Carbonatix
The governing African National Congress (ANC) is expected to be returned to office in South Africa's parliamentary election, but with a reduced majority.
With almost all of district results declared, the ANC has won 58% of the ballot, well ahead of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on 21%.
The ANC, which has been in power since 1994, won 62% of the vote at the last general election in 2014.
Anger over the economy and corruption may have eroded its appeal.
Turnout was about 65% in the twin parliamentary and provincial elections - a drop compared to the 73% registered five years ago.
Some six million young people did not register to vote.
Full results are due on Saturday.
Casting his vote in the country's sixth democratic national election since apartheid ended 25 years ago, President Ramaphosa acknowledged the "rampant corruption" of recent years.
"We have made mistakes but we have been sorry about those mistakes and we are saying our people should reinvest their confidence in us," he said.
"Corruption got into the way, patronage got into the way and not focusing on the needs of our people got in the way."
Why has the ANC lost support?
Young people queuing to vote spoke of their difficulties in finding jobs, with unemployment at 27%.
One young voter said her future employment prospects were on her mind. "I don't feel confident about getting the job I want," she said.
"I'm a member of the ANC, but I didn't vote for them this time," construction worker Thabo Makhene told Reuters news agency. "They need to catch a wake-up. The way they run the state, mishandling state funds, they've lost their morals."
However, many voters stayed loyal to the ANC, which led the fight against apartheid.
Esau Zwane, 90, waiting to vote in Soweto, Johannesburg, lived under white-minority rule. He told the BBC he was celebrating "that our country is now ruled by black people".
Votes are cast for parties, with seats in the 400-member National Assembly allocated according to the share of the vote gained by each party.
These MPs then elect a president.
Latest Stories
-
Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa Have Persisted for Years — Ghanaian SA community leader
5 minutes -
Health Minister says agenda 111 projects cannot be completed within four years
7 minutes -
NSA releases postings for 18,416 trained teachers for 2026/2027 national service
13 minutes -
Court pauses Boateng Adjei trial pending ruling on OSP’s prosecutorial authority
19 minutes -
Workers of Engineers and Planners strike at Tarkwa over unpaid benefits
24 minutes -
Para-athlete Tahiru Haruna secures qualification for 2026 Commonwealth Games
26 minutes -
Hundreds turn up for NPP’s “Yensuro Ahunahuna” demo in Sunyani
28 minutes -
Nalerigu/Gambaga MP backs incumbent chairman in NPP North East regional race
29 minutes -
CEMSE petitions EOCO over suspected illegal fuel sales and GH¢2.5m loss
30 minutes -
Ghana introduces a National Workplace HIV and Wellness Policy
41 minutes -
Krodua Publishing empowers emerging voices through intensive creative writing and residency programme
52 minutes -
Hitz FM’s ‘My Hustle’ forum for young entrepreneurs set for April 25
56 minutes -
Ghana to host Toastmasters District 94 West and Central Africa Leadership Conference, 2026
58 minutes -
My ‘thank you tour’ is driven by gratitude -Asiedu Nketia
1 hour -
Turkish outfit Trabzonspor target Abdul Fatawu after Leicester City relegation
1 hour