Democratic Alliance

South Africa has held five national elections since 1994, one every five years. As we await the results of the country's latest national vote, which took place on 7 May 2014 in South Africa's 20th year of democracy, we look back at past election results, from 1994 to 2009.

Politicians showed off their party colours at the national Results Operations Centre in Pretoria on Thursday morning as the focus shifted from voting to counting in South Africa's fifth democratic elections. Over 35% of votes had been counted by 9am, just 12 hours after polling stations closed at 9pm on Wednesday.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said there was no reason to jump the queue as he waited patiently at the Colbyn voting station in Pretoria on Wednesday morning for his turn to cast his vote in South Africa's fifth democratic elections.

President Jacob Zuma cast his vote in South Africa's general elections at Ntolwane Primary School near Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday morning. "I hope that all voters will cast their votes freely, without any problems," Zuma said. "This is our right that we fought for."

South African election volunteers take their passion for democracy and their party-of-choice manifestos to the people, helping political promises reflect on-the-ground community needs, and building on voter education.

On 7 May 2014 South Africans will vote in the country's fifth national democratic elections, 20 years after the end of apartheid in 1994. We bring you a brief guide to the 152 parties voters can choose from – the established, the newcomers, and the outliers.

Political parties registered to contest South Africa's 7 May general election on Wednesday signed the Independent Electoral Commission's code of conduct, committing themselves to refrain from any acts of violence, incitement or intimidation in the lead-up to the polls.

Planning minister Trevor Manuel has detailed an ambitious national development plan that, if properly and successfully implemented, will see South Africa boast an employment level heading towards 90%, no poverty, and strong economic growth by 2030.
• Manuel to head global green fund

South Africa's National Development Plan, a blueprint for eliminating poverty and reducing inequality in the country by 2030, was presented to President Jacob Zuma by National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel during a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday.

South Africans have embarked on an in-depth process of deciding what kind of society they want to create - and a major part of that process is the National Social Cohesion Summit taking place at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Soweto.