National Assembly (South Africa)
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| National Assembly (South Africa) | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Assembly |
| Legislature | Parliament of South Africa |
| House type | Lower house |
| Body | Parliament of South Africa |
| Leader1 type | Speaker |
| Leader1 | Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula |
| Leader2 type | Deputy Speaker |
| Leader2 | Solomon Lechesa Tsenoli |
| Leader3 type | Leader of Government Business |
| Leader3 | Pemmy Majodina |
| Leader4 type | Chief Whip of the Majority Party |
| Leader4 | Pemmy Majodina |
| Leader5 type | Leader of the Opposition |
| Leader5 | John Steenhuisen |
| Election5 | 2019 |
| Members | 400 |
| Political groups1 | Government (230), ANC (159), DA (87), IFP (17), PA (9), VF+ (6), UDM (3), Al Jama-ah (2), Rise Mzansi (2), ACDP (2), Other parties (170), EFF (39), MK (58), ActionSA (9), ATM (2), GOOD (1), NCC (1), PAC (1), UAT (1) |
| Last election1 | 29 May 2024 |
| Meeting place | National Assembly Chamber, Houses of Parliament, Cape Town |
| Website | https://www.parliament.gov.za/national-assembly |
National Assembly (South Africa). The National Assembly is the directly elected lower house of the Parliament of South Africa, vested with supreme legislative authority under the nation's democratic constitution. It is responsible for passing laws, scrutinizing executive action, and providing a national forum for public debate. The assembly, consisting of 400 members, is central to the functioning of South Africa's constitutional democracy and is situated in the Houses of Parliament in Cape Town.
History
The modern National Assembly was established by the Constitution of South Africa, 1996, which marked the culmination of the Negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa and the transition from the apartheid-era Tricameral Parliament. Its first democratic election followed the historic 1994 South African general election, which saw Nelson Mandela become President. This replaced the previous House of Assembly (South Africa) and other segregated chambers, creating a single, representative body. Key legislative milestones include the passage of transformative laws like the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 and the contentious Expropriation Bill.
Composition and election
The National Assembly comprises 400 members elected through a party-list proportional representation system for a five-year term. There are no electoral districts; seats are allocated to parties based on their share of the national vote in elections like the 2024 South African general election. To gain representation, a party must secure a minimum percentage of the vote. The current composition reflects a coalition government following the 2024 election, with the ANC forming a Government of National Unity (South Africa) with the DA, the IFP, and others, while the EFF and the new MK party form the main opposition.
Powers and functions
The assembly's primary power is to pass Acts of Parliament on any matter, except those exclusively assigned to Provincial legislatures (South Africa). It elects the President of South Africa from among its members and can remove a president through a motion of no confidence. It holds the National Executive (South Africa) accountable through mechanisms like question time and debates on the State of the Nation Address. The assembly also plays a crucial role in approving the national budget and reviewing the performance of entities like the South African National Defence Force and the South African Revenue Service.
Leadership and structure
The presiding officer is the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, currently Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, assisted by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Solomon Lechesa Tsenoli. Political leadership is provided by the Leader of Government Business, Pemmy Majodina, and the Leader of the Opposition (South Africa), John Steenhuisen. The Chief Whip of the Majority Party manages the governing party's business. The assembly operates under rules detailed in the Rules of the National Assembly (South Africa), with daily proceedings managed by the Parliamentary Counsels and the Secretary to the National Assembly.
Committees
Much of the assembly's detailed work occurs in portfolio committees, each shadowing a government department, such as the Standing Committee on Finance or the Portfolio Committee on Police. There are also standing committees for internal affairs, like the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), which audits government expenditure. Ad hoc committees are established for specific short-term inquiries. These committees summon ministers, officials from bodies like the South African Police Service or Eskom, and conduct public hearings on legislation.
Relationship with other government bodies
The National Assembly, together with the National Council of Provinces, constitutes the Parliament of South Africa. It is constitutionally separate from but holds the National Executive (South Africa) accountable. The assembly interacts with the Judiciary of South Africa, particularly the Constitutional Court of South Africa, which can review the constitutionality of its laws. It also engages with independent constitutional bodies like the Public Protector (South Africa) and the South African Human Rights Commission, to which it appoints office-bearers and considers reports.