Now, in South Africa, the party once led by Nelson Mandela, the African National Congress, has had its worst election result since the end of Apartheid three decades ago. It means a fresh political landscape for the country, with the ANC losing support because of anger over the cost of living, high levels of corruption, unemployment, and crime. Barbara Platt-Usher has more from Johannesburg.

This is a country at a crossroads. The historic inequalities of Apartheid have not been erased. And the people have had enough. Last week, they went to the polls and voted for change, delivering a dramatic drop in support to the African National Congress. Today, the President spoke for the first time.

Our people have given effect to the clarion call that has resonated across generations, that the people shall govern. Our people have spoken. Whether we like it or not, they have spoken.

The ANC's disastrous showing has thrown competition wide open for a coalition government to replace its controlling majority. The Pro-Business Democratic Alliance came second with an agenda of free market reforms, but it struggles to shake the image of a party for the white minority. The former President Jacob Zuma, disgraced by allegations of rampant corruption, has made an extraordinary comeback heading the newly formed MK Party. The radical economic freedom fighters want to nationalize banks and seize white-owned land. Those are the options. And we've now had the official announcement of the election results, confirming what we already knew. That means the ANC has two weeks to form a coalition with parties which have very different visions of the country. Faced with that uncertain future are these young people in Johannesburg, the generation for whom most is at stake. Nearly 50 % are unemployed.

If we get somebody young, fresh, young blood, I'm very much optimistic. It's going to be a beautiful count. I hope the ruling party is shaken as we want them to be. We just need the basics, like just take care of the people and to stay on their promises, to keep their word. We know they want to chow them money, let them chow them money, but let them at least do what they promise to do, and then maybe chow the change.

The votes may have been counted, but nobody knows where they will lead. Barbara Plat-Escher, BBC News, Johannesburg.