South Africans are voting in general elections as the country marks 20 years since the end of white-minority rule.
The African National Congress (ANC) is tipped to win, returning President Jacob Zuma for a second five-year term.
These are the first elections since the death in December of Nelson Mandela, the country's first black president.
Correspondents say voting has begun smoothly with long queues and there is an air of excitement, especially amongst first-time voters.
Those born after the end of apartheid in 1994 are casting their first national ballots, although only a third of those entitled to do so have registered to vote.
Correspondents say police have been deployed to areas where there have been scene of violent protests and political tensions.
The ANC is expected to win more than 60% of the vote, although opinion polls show there is disaffection with the country's leadership.
South Africa votes
- About 25 million registered voters
- Only a third of those born after 1994 have registered
- "Born-frees" make up 2.5% of voters
- 29 parties contesting national poll
- ANC defending 66% majority
- DA main challenger
- Julius Malema formed new left-wing party, EFF, last year
Source: IEC; IOL news site
But it is not clear whether this will translate into a significant swing for the opposition.
The ANC's main challenger is the Democratic Alliance (DA), the liberal pro-business party led by anti-apartheid activist Helen Zille, which is trying to make inroads into the black electorate.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), launched last year by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema, hopes to get its first parliamentary seats with its campaign for nationalising the mines and the forced redistribution of farmland.
The BBC's Milton Nkosi at a polling station in Soweto says voters have been walking in and out steadily making their mark.
One voter there told the BBC: "I don't see any party that can defeat the ANC. They fought for more than a hundred years... fought for this liberty and so no-one will turn their backs on them."
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With 24% unemployment, many young South Africans face an uncertain future
In Diepsloot, a township north of Johannesburg, scene of frequent protests by people demanding basic services such as water and electricity, Alpheos Tshikopo, 44, said: "We live in hope that things will change - that is why I am here today. If we have jobs we can look after ourselves, that is all we want."
This concern was reflected in a BBC poll which suggests unemployment is the major issue for young voters in the country, where about a quarter of the workforce is jobless.
"Start Quote
End Quote Ronnie Kasrils Former ANC ministerThere's a rot that's set in, there's huge corruption and graft and cronyism"
The ANC's campaign has drawn heavily on its campaign to end apartheid and the outpouring of grief over Mr Mandela's death.
"Do it for Madiba, Vote ANC!" campaign posters read, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name.
However, a group of former ANC stalwarts led by ex-Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils has called on people to choose one of the smaller opposition parties or spoil their ballots to remind the ANC "that they've got to serve the people of the country and not themselves".
"There's a rot that's set in, there's huge corruption and graft and cronyism," he told the BBC.
President Zuma urged people to cast their ballots freely as he voted in Nklandla near his rural home, which has been at the centre of scandal because of its expensive state-funded upgrades.
Trouble hotspotSouth Africa's racial divide
- Population of nearly 52 million
- 79% black, 9% whites, 9% coloured, 2% Indian
- Biggest gap between rich and poor in the world
- Income of white South African households six times higher than black ones - up from four times in 1994
- About half the population lives on just over $2 (£1.5) a day; 10 million on less than $1
Source: Statistics SA; Census 2011; HSRC; World Bank
Some 22,000 polling stations are open at schools, places of worship and hospitals, while dozens of vehicles serving as mobile voting centres will operate in remote areas.
About 25 million people have registered to vote - roughly half the population.
Police say at least one officer will be on duty at every polling station and troops have also been deployed to keep order at various hotspots.
There was rioting in Bekkersdal township, south-west of Johannesburg, on Tuesday and some temporary polling stations were burned down.
Bekkersdal has suffered intermittent unrest since last year as residents protested over a lack of public services.
Polls opened at 07:00 (05:00 GMT) and are due to close 14 hours later, with the full result expected before Friday.
Are you in South Africa? Will you be voting? You can send an email to haveyoursay@bbc.co using 'South Africa' in the subject.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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