South Africa's ruling ANC party is determined to capture votes in all minority voting groups, even translating their election poster "Together we move South Africa Forward" into Mandarin and erecting these in South Africa's China Towns.

South Africans go to the polls on May 7 in the most hotly contested election in the country's 20 years of independence. It is also the first election without the calming presence of Nelson Mandela.

A total number of 29 political parties will contest the election of the National Assembly, although realistically the front runners in the poll stakes are the ruling African National Congress (ANC), official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and to some extent the red beret adorned Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). 

Current President of the ruling party and of the country, Jacob Zuma, has come under increasing fire after Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was found to have improperly benefited from almost $24 million in security upgrades to his Nkandla homestead, which included a swimming pool, an amphitheater and a cattle kraal. Zuma has said he did not ask for the upgrades and will therefore not repay the money. In addition, public discontent over the Marikana tragedy, the site where 34 miners were shot by police while on a wildcat strike for higher wages in 2012, increasing government corruption, lack of service delivery, e-tolls and lack of jobs, have all dented the ANC's image. 

However, the party's loyal support base is expected to push the party to victory at the polls in 2014, albeit with a lower majority than previous elections - the party managed an almost 66 percent majority in the 2009 elections. Analysts say that voters at this election will vote with their hearts for the last time and that the ANC will need to realign itself going forward to reflect the new era the country is heading toward. It is also an election where the "old guards" of ANC politicians are expected to see out their last terms in office - Zuma included.  

The fragmented opposition parties in the country have not seized on opportunities to form coalitions and rather than clearly explaining their manifestos to voters. They have spent more time slamming the ANC. The elections offer the so-called "Born Frees" - those born after the fall of the oppressive apartheid regime, the first chance to vote in the country of their birth. In fact the nation's electoral commission says nearly half of the 25 million registered voters are younger than 40. In polls done in the election run-up many of these young people have little connection to past ANC "struggle" links and are looking for leaders who can improve their lives - most notably by creating employment.

(Reporting from Johannesburg)