South Africa vote:

ANC to sweep polls

SAFRICA: South Africans went to the polls Wednesday in general elections all but certain to propel the ruling ANC party's controversial leader Jacob Zuma to the presidency.

Lines formed early outside voting stations with a record more than 23 million South Africans registered to cast ballots. "Most of the voting stations have opened. Where there are problems we are dealing with them," Independent Electoral Commission spokeswoman Kate Bapela told AFP.

First-time voter Portia Ntshali, 18, cast her ballot in Alexandra township on Wednesday and wants the incoming government to tackle crime, build houses and create jobs.

"It was great to be voting for the first time," said the Grade 12 pupil.

"I'm voting because I want to experience how it feels. I'm also voting because I want to be heard."

JOHANNESBURG, Wednesday, AFP