Getrude Makhafola and Sibongile Mashaba

Getrude Makhafola and Sibongile Mashaba

Former president Nelson Mandela caused a stir as voters left the queue to catch a glimpse of him as he arrived to vote at the Killarney Country Club in Johannesburg.

Mandela was accompanied by his daughter Zindzi and assistant Zelda le Grange.

Old women ululated and others gathered chairs to sit and get a clear view of South Africa's icon. Everyone waited patiently outside for more than 30 minutes to see him.

Later Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile and Le Grange led him outside, walking slowly by his side and walked him to the ballot box placed outside.

The ballot box was placed outside near photographers to enable them to get clear pictures of Mandela putting his ballot paper into the box.

Voting for the fourth time here, Mandela was dressed in a floral shirt and a long black coat and had his walking stick.

Meanwhile, ANC national executive committee member Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said she never had doubts, even during the apartheid era, that the party would rule the country one day.

She said this minutes after she cast her vote at Orlando West High School in Soweto.

Madikizela-Mandela hugged several people, cast her vote and had brief interviews with journalists.

"The youth must march on. This is their time and we are here to back them. They can come to me for guidance any time," she said.