South Africans began voting Wednesday in an election seen as their country\u2019s most important in 30 years, and one that could put their young democracy in unknown territory.<\/p>\n
At stake is the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party, which led South Africa out of apartheid\u2019s brutal white minority rule in 1994. It is now the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people \u2014 half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty.<\/p>\n
Africa\u2019s most advanced economy has some of the world\u2019s deepest socioeconomic problems, including one of the worst unemployment rates at 32%.<\/p>\n
The lingering inequality, with poverty and joblessness disproportionately affecting the Black majority, threatens to unseat the party that promised to end it by bringing down apartheid under the slogan of a better life for all.<\/p>\n
After winning six successive national elections, several polls have the ANC\u2019s support at less than 50% ahead of this one, an unprecedented drop. It might lose its majority in Parliament for the first time, although it\u2019s widely expected to hold the most seats.<\/p>\n
Infographic: 2024 South Africa elections<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n