6 May

South Africa's election campaign has reached its climax as political parties held their final rallies before Wednesday's vote.

The African National Congress, or ANC, has been in power since 1994 when it scored a landslide victory in the first democratic election of majority rule. It had spearheaded the movement against apartheid and racial inequality.

One of the opposition parties, the Economic Freedom Fighters is gaining support with its pledge to provide free education.

Its leader Julius Malema condemned ANC corruption at Sunday's rally and said its "reign of thieves must fall."

NHK