Factbox: The main political parties in South Africa's election

South African radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party President Julius Malema gestures during the party's past rally. (AFP)

South Africans voting for a new national parliament on May 8 will have 48 parties to choose from — more than at any election since the end of white minority rule in 1994.

Many more political parties are contesting elections for nine provincial legislatures to be held on the same day.