The entire atmosphere at the Albert Luthuli’s building of the ANC party in Johannesburg was electrified with dancing, singing and jeering. Zuma, who danced and sang his trademark ‘Umshiniwam’ which means "Bring me my machine gun" an anti-apartheid anthem, reiterated that the ANC was "not yet celebrating victory", although with some 60 per cent of votes counted, it was set for a resounding win.

“You have done very well. Thank you for your support,” said Zuma amid cheers from the mammoth crowd. He added that, ‘We have fought a good fight and for this I thank the people of South Africa for showing confidence in me.’

The ANC had accumulated 8.2 million votes by last night compared with 1.9m for the Democratic Alliance (16%), and 939,000 (7.7%) for the Congress of the People (COPE), the ANC splinter group.

The final result is expected late on Friday.

"The people have spoken with their vote," Zuma told the crowds, switching from English to Zulu to Sotho. "We are not reading newspapers. We are talking to the people. We are not yet celebrating victory. The counting is still going on. The real celebration is on its way.”

The party reached a fever pitch when a bottle of champagne, and a giant replica bottle, were unleashed on stage. ANC supporters danced alongside Zuma, amid a heavy security detail that ensured that the ‘man of the moment’ was in the right hands.

Challenges

Analysts however predict that Zuma, set to become South Africa’s forth post-apartheid president faces a formidable challenge of uniting his country behind him. The Western Cape Province, a predominantly white and mixed race population has rallied behind Helen Zille, the leader of the opposition, Democratic Alliance party.

The ANC looks likely to lose control of the Western Cape to the DA.

“I feel very good about the national results ... We are just above 50 per cent in the Western Cape. That is what we were hoping for ... it means we have doubled our numbers since last time,” said Zile to her reporters.

Some analysts also believe that a lot of people have voted for the ANC reluctantly.
Steven Friedman, a political academic, said: "Zuma will take office having to deal with a skeptical electorate and will be judged on how far he goes to allay skepticism and show that politicians care more about the people than looking after themselves."

Despite the public enthusiasm for the polls, political analysts and some local newspapers caution that South Africa faces immense challenges due to the global economic crisis.

"Millions of our citizens remain mired in poverty, our health services are inequitable and our education system is a national tragedy," said The Star newspaper in its editorial. "We have heard the campaign talk - now we want a new patriotism and action."

Our reporter said baring any unforeseen hitches; Zuma will be sworn in as president in Pretoria on 9 May. And among his first tasks will be to select a cabinet and to reassure the financial markets of his continuity in trade policies. He will also need to implement his campaign policies of improving public services, creating employment, reducing crime and the HIV/Aids prevalence rates.