South Africa's Ramaphosa casts vote, vows to grow economy

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa cast his votes in the country's parliamentary and provincial election in Soweto on Wednesday (May 8), vowing to grow the country's economy on an "inclusive basis".

A large crowd greeted the African National Congress (ANC) leader and his wife as they walked into the polling station.

The ANC faced its toughest electoral test on Wednesday as it sought to reverse a slide in support from voters frustrated by graft and racial inequalities a generation after it won power in South Africa's first all-race poll.

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The national election is the first under Ramaphosa, who replaced scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma as head of state in February 2018 after four years as Zuma's deputy.

Opinion polls suggest the ANC will again win a majority of the 400 seats in the National Assembly, but analysts have predicted its margin of victory will fall, particularly in major cities.

Officials have not said when the final results will be announced.