South Africans have begun voting in local elections seen as a big test for the African National Congress, which has governed the country since 1994.
President Thabo Mbeki said the ANC had led South Africans out of oppression and would now lead them out of poverty.
But despite huge support nationally, the ANC has performed poorly at local level, says the BBC's Peter Biles.
Frustration over the slow pace of service delivery has occasionally led to violence.
And the absence of a strong credible opposition has weakened the country's young democracy, our correspondent adds.
Turnout factor
Polls opened at 0700 (0500 GMT) across the country with more than 60,000 police officers and about 14,000 reservists deployed to ensure a peaceful vote.
Our correspondent says there is particular concern about corruption among local councillors.
President Thabo Mbeki acknowledged the need for the ANC to do more and move faster to improve the quality of life for the poor.
In the past month, the government has also been troubled by protests in one particular township, Khutsong, west of Johannesburg, where there has been opposition to planned municipal boundary changes.
These local elections have been characterised by intense campaigning, our correspondent notes, but the ANC will undoubtedly emerge victorious.
Any discontent with the governing party is likely to be reflected by low voter turnout rather than by a swing to the opposition, he adds.
Protests
Cape Town is one of the few parts of South Africa where the ANC does not have an overwhelming majority and could be defeated.
There is anger there over 10 days of power cuts which the opposition Democratic Alliance has used to illustrate what it says is the failure of the ANC government to deliver good services.
Polling stations are equipped with candles.
The government blamed sabotage at the local nuclear reactor for the power cuts.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has warned that rainy weather could also keep some voters at home.
(BBC)
<< Back