Mbeki has promised not to let voters down

That system of separate development bred state-sponsored racism and left the black majority poor, jobless and living in sub-standard accommodation in shanty towns.

The slogan for the celebrations is: "Towards 10 Years of Freedom - A people united for a better South Africa and a better world."

But are they? Is racism becoming a thing of the past for South Africa? Is it accommodating to foreigners in its own country? Do South Africans feel politically and economically free? What is the continuing legacy of apartheid?

Send us your views. A selection will be published below and will be broadcast on the BBC World Service's Focus on Africa programme at 1700 GMT on 24 April.

I now call myself an ex South African just like everybody else I left to make a better further for myself and my children. I feel although everyone says apartheid has gone, racism still exists between the black and white, black are now doing what the white man has done to them its almost as they are getting their own backs, which unfortunately the country in the whole is suffering, and where are we as South African Indians go, we too have suffered, but we seem to have been forgotten or the only colour that can be seen now is not white anymore but just black, Looks like Asian don't seem to exits I feel I did not have no say in the apartheid era and now as well. Greed has overtaken than the well being of the country equally that everyone and I mean everyone irrespective of colour should be treated equally, and the past should stay in the past to make a better further for everyone,
Nuthen Evans, England

Poverty, crime and unployment do not enhance democracy but rather turns to derail the efforts and gains so far achieved.
Safo kantanka, Accra&Ghana

other Countries should learn from South Africa as a great lesson. Naturally,humanbeings are greedy whether Blacks or Whites it is hard to balance the redistribution of resources and create employment, What people should learn is that, human beings created classes for themselves and it is those classes that create inequality in our healthy society, today not only in South Africa but worldwide. But the most important thing South Africa did is reconciliation and forgiveness of another as sign of liberty, peace as world need to day.
nyon, Australia

I arrived in England from South Africa seven years ago to make a better life for my family and myself after my then wife was told she would not get a job as she was white even though she received her degree summa cum laude. Time has past and circumstances changed but in going back to SA I see very little change. the beggars and the poor are still black and the government is still a gravy train, trying to bleed every last cent from the nation to line their own pockets. I think people would be shocked to learn the salaries of MP's in SA and the perks they receive due to their "high" standing in the community. Unfortunately like most African governments the � signs outweigh the needs of the people. So far as racism goes I have seen more blatant racism in a classroom where I taught here in England than I ever saw in the 27 years I was in SA. Racism is rife in England and it is becoming more and more apparent, need I mention the Ron Atkinson incident?
Spencer, London

The past is very bitter. Apartheid and racism are sins of a terrible past in South Africa. But as you know we the blacks who bore all these horrendous crimes we have forgiven and we are moving on and feeling a knew sense of hope in this country. We do feel politically free and economically good. Because you know after all the illegitimate governments that were there before were not open to democratic accountability to the society and mind you this were governments whose agenda was based on exploitation and abuse of the economic resources for a greedy self enrichment. Today in South Africa we have transcended above these selfish goals of the past. What I have learnt from the past is that we must learn to be accommodative to other people . I do see so race that over a time as prejudiced itself keeping on with segregation but , God never intended us to live so. Finally my observation about the continuing legacy of apartheid is that we blacks, unlike Jews and other people who have suffered, do forget quickly and intend to move forward soon we will not have memories of apartheid, may be a good thing for the next generation .
Zuma Biko, Cape Town South Africa

There is still plenty to do in a country where nobody really knows what the future holds for the poor, unemployed and uneducated. Lucky ones like myself with some education have left the country to better ourselves and seek a better and safer environment for our children. Crime is still very rife and a negative factor for South Africa's growth. More and more educated and wealthy people are leaving the country every day. The main task the ANC faces is getting the crime rate down, to better the ordinary South African's lifestyle and education. Job creation should be high on the list. Racism on the other hand is something of the past, especially for the younger generation. Thandi, Auckland New Zealand
Thandi, Auckland New Zealand

Apartheid in SA will not get out of the system till economical means will be shared with black SA.
Daniel Kaduma, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

No, we just have reverse apartheid. Try getting a job if you're white and male. Especially in the government sector. No, the ANC government is not non-racial, it is a black nationalist government, and because the out-going white government failed to secure protection for minorities, it has a blank cheque to be as anti-white as it wants.
Stephen, Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa did right by setting up a truth and reconciliation commission, where differences of the past were brought out and maybe past demons were exorcised. It is sad though that there are a lot of people who still do not fully feel South African enough. The same perpetrators of racism in the past still hold on to their British passports and thus do not feel fully South African. In this situation usually blacks are more accommodating than whites who still want their own separate things. Poverty will eat into this fragile facade of national unity ,as long as blacks continue to die of hunger , continue being jobless and marginalised then we will see agitation starting in the black communities. Remember most of the Southern African economies were created for white minorities and it is the challenge of new governments to try and bring the millions of blacks into the main stream economy. I am glad though that you find white South Africans working in restaurants and shops a thing you ! do not get in other countries such as Zimbabwe were the white community is completely divorced from the black community making them an easy target for finger pointing by failed governments. Let us hope South Africa does not go that far.
Collins Chidimuro, Aberdeen , UK

Black and coloured South Africans are feeling free in all aspects, although bitter because of the false promises of homes being built for everyone, which has never materialised. The white people are now the oppressed, jobs are given to black colour in preference to white, is that really fair? regardless of qualifications. Also the ANC government turn a blind eye to the hundreds of white farmers murdered every year in racist attacks. South Africa can be the bread basket of the world if it is managed in favour of all colours and backgrounds.
Justin Richards, South African in London

What is noticeable is that there is an increased tolerance amongst the youth for people of their races which is encouraging for the future.
Simon Green, Leeds, UK

South Africa has done a great job in leaving the past and moving strategically forward into the future. Very diverse in culture and peoples, South Africans have shown the rest of Africa that skin colour or ethnicity does not define nationhood nor improve livelihood, rather togetherness is the key to progress. While other almost all-black African countries continue to kill and rampage just because of imagined differences, South African multicultural and multi skinned people are moving ahead in making their nation the best in Africa. I think all Africans, especially Nigerians - home and abroad - should learn from SA.
Ejike, Nigerian in the US

There are many problems and many issues that still need to be ironed out. Only a fool would expect a solution in a relatively short time like this. It is the next generation that will really be able to say yes it was a success or no it was not. Now the groundwork has to be done, and this is done slowly. People are slow to change but change they are, but the whites are still scared to mix freely, it is not racism - just fear of the unknown.

You have to remember that there are very few "well educated" men and women in the country who can carry them safely through this difficult time and this is because of the oppressive education systems of the apartheid days. That is the most significant legacy that continues, it is a good thing ANC leaders in the 60's sent some of their children away!
j, london