SADC's biggest economy votes
Around 1.6 million out of the 27.6 million-strong electorate were allowed to cast their ballots early, according to South Africa's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Election agents will visit 624 000 people with mobility issues at home, while essential workers will attend polling stations two days earlier than the general populace.
On Wednesday, the rest of the country will be called to vote in South Africa's sixth general election, three decades after the advent of democracy in 1994.
The vote could prove a historic turning point if, as opinion polls predict, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) loses its absolute parliamentary majority for the first time.
Final campaigning
Monday's early voting followed a weekend of final campaigning by South Africa's four main political parties.
ANC supporters gathered at a football stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday to hear a speech by Ramaphosa and senior party leaders.
As thousands of supporters in the ANC's black, green and gold colours attended its last major rally before the election, Ramaphosa recognised some of the grievances of South Africans, which include high levels of poverty and unemployment that mainly affect the country's Black majority.
The main opposition Democratic Alliance party had a rally in Cape Town, South Africa's second-biggest city and its stronghold, on Sunday.
Party leader John Steenhuisen made a speech while supporters in the DA's blue colours held up blue umbrellas.
“Democrats, friends, are you ready for change?” Steenhuisen said. The crowd shouted back, “Yes!”
Speaking ahead of its final rally in the city of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said their main objective was to see the current government removed.
“The IFP is campaigning to remove the ANC from power and become part of the government at a policy making level, and also cut the ANC to below 50% at national level.”
“We are calling on people to take action and vote IFP to remove the government that has failed them,” said Hlabisa.
Chanting
The far-left Economic Freedom Fighters had their last big pre-election gathering in the northern city of Polokwane, the hometown of fiery leader Julius Malema. “The people of South Africa must decide if they want unemployment," Malema said.
The new MK Party of former South African president and former ANC leader Jacob Zuma was also campaigning in a township just outside the east coast city of Durban, although Zuma didn't attend the event.
Zuma has been disqualified from standing as a candidate for parliament in the election because of a previous criminal conviction, but MK is still allowed to use his image as its leader and he continues to campaign. His daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, attended the rally, where MK followers chanted: “Run, Ramaphosa, run."
Election agents will visit 624 000 people with mobility issues at home, while essential workers will attend polling stations two days earlier than the general populace.
On Wednesday, the rest of the country will be called to vote in South Africa's sixth general election, three decades after the advent of democracy in 1994.
The vote could prove a historic turning point if, as opinion polls predict, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) loses its absolute parliamentary majority for the first time.
Final campaigning
Monday's early voting followed a weekend of final campaigning by South Africa's four main political parties.
ANC supporters gathered at a football stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday to hear a speech by Ramaphosa and senior party leaders.
As thousands of supporters in the ANC's black, green and gold colours attended its last major rally before the election, Ramaphosa recognised some of the grievances of South Africans, which include high levels of poverty and unemployment that mainly affect the country's Black majority.
The main opposition Democratic Alliance party had a rally in Cape Town, South Africa's second-biggest city and its stronghold, on Sunday.
Party leader John Steenhuisen made a speech while supporters in the DA's blue colours held up blue umbrellas.
“Democrats, friends, are you ready for change?” Steenhuisen said. The crowd shouted back, “Yes!”
Speaking ahead of its final rally in the city of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said their main objective was to see the current government removed.
“The IFP is campaigning to remove the ANC from power and become part of the government at a policy making level, and also cut the ANC to below 50% at national level.”
“We are calling on people to take action and vote IFP to remove the government that has failed them,” said Hlabisa.
Chanting
The far-left Economic Freedom Fighters had their last big pre-election gathering in the northern city of Polokwane, the hometown of fiery leader Julius Malema. “The people of South Africa must decide if they want unemployment," Malema said.
The new MK Party of former South African president and former ANC leader Jacob Zuma was also campaigning in a township just outside the east coast city of Durban, although Zuma didn't attend the event.
Zuma has been disqualified from standing as a candidate for parliament in the election because of a previous criminal conviction, but MK is still allowed to use his image as its leader and he continues to campaign. His daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, attended the rally, where MK followers chanted: “Run, Ramaphosa, run."
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