How Will the ANC Fare in Key Local Elections in South Africa?

As polls open the traditionally popular ANC is expected to be put to the test.

Polls opened Wednesday for South Africa's municipal elections, with the ruling African National Congress expected to come under pressure in a vote that is seen as a preview of the 2019 general elections.

There are still millions of people who have a strong loyalty to the ANC, which led the liberation struggle for decades before winning the fight against apartheid and leading the country to its first democratic elections in 1994, electing Nelson Mandela as its first Black president.

Twenty-two years later, South Africa continues to be haunted by economic and racial issues from its past white-minority rule. Many still demand justice and restitution for the years of Black exploitation and oppression.

The Democratic Alliance, the main opposition to the ANC, with a mostly white liberal base, is expected to win a number of important municipal seats.

The Economic Freedom Fighters party, that apeals to young Black militants, is expected to poll well under the leadership of Julius Malema, a former ally of Zuma and expelled leader of the ANC youth wing.

Around 55 percent of the working-age population in South Africa is made up of those between the ages of 15 and 34. However, similar to previous elections, one of the issues will be whether the youth turn out to vote.

Municipal elections are held every five years across 283 local municipal councils. Municipal councils govern services such as electricity, sanitation and water.

There have been continued concerns in South Africa regarding housing, inequality and education, with a number of protests taking place demanding changes in these areas. Many demand land and wealth redistribution to combat the fact that wealth in the country is still predominately controlled by the minority white population.

Along with corruption, the economy has been one of the main issues during the elections with economic growth expected to slow. Many are concerned about the lack of jobs, with a quarter of South Africans being unemployed.