South Africa's second democratic elections were dominated by one party: the ruling African National Congress.
The other contenders campaigned on fears of single-party domination and in the end the ANC missed gaining a two-thirds majority by a whisper.
Now it remains to be seen whether the Democratic Party will be able to form an effective and vocal opposition.
Other campaign issues, meanwhile, like crime, education, housing and unemployment, continue to have real urgency for South Africa's people, millions of whom still face unrelieved poverty. To find out what the main parties stand for, click on their names.