South African Parliament

South African Parliament. The Parliament of South Africa is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of South Africa, constituted as a bicameral legislature under the Constitution of South Africa. It is composed of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, and its primary seat is in Cape Town. The Parliament is responsible for passing laws, overseeing the executive, and providing a national forum for public consideration of issues, playing a central role in the country's democratic system since the end of apartheid.

History

The origins of a formal legislative body in the region trace back to the colonial Cape Parliament established in 1853. Following the Union of South Africa in 1910, the Parliament was established, consisting of the House of Assembly and the Senate, and was dominated by white minority rule. Key historical acts passed by this body include the Natives' Land Act, 1913 and the foundational apartheid laws like the Population Registration Act, 1950. A pivotal moment was the first democratic elections in 1994, which led to the adoption of the Interim Constitution of South Africa and the formation of the Government of National Unity (South Africa). The current institution was established by the final Constitution of South Africa in 1996, which created the contemporary bicameral structure, marking a definitive break from the apartheid era.

Structure and composition

The Parliament operates as a bicameral legislature. The lower house, the National Assembly, consists of 400 members elected through a party-list proportional representation system from national and provincial lists for a five-year term. The Speaker presides over its proceedings. The upper house, the National Council of Provinces, represents provincial interests with 90 delegates, ten from each of the nine Provinces of South Africa, including the Premier and special delegates. It is chaired by the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. The dominant political party since 1994 has been the African National Congress, with other significant parties including the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

Functions and powers

Its primary constitutional function is to pass national legislation, which requires approval from both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on most matters. It holds the power to amend the Constitution of South Africa and to initiate and process bills on any subject except money bills, which originate in the Assembly. A critical function is its role in overseeing the executive, exercised through mechanisms like Question Time, debates, and committees such as the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. It also has the sole power to elect the President of South Africa from among its members and can remove a president through a motion of no confidence or for serious misconduct via Section 89 of the Constitution of South Africa.

Role in government

Operating within the framework of a parliamentary republic, the Parliament is separate from but integral to the executive. The President of South Africa, who is both head of state and government, is accountable to the National Assembly and must maintain its confidence. The executive, including the Cabinet of South Africa, is drawn from and responsible to Parliament. This relationship ensures a system of Checks and balances and Separation of powers with the Judiciary of South Africa, notably the Constitutional Court of South Africa, which can review the constitutionality of parliamentary acts. Parliament also interacts with other constitutional bodies like the Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission.

Buildings and precinct

The primary parliamentary precinct is located in Cape Town, the legislative capital, situated between the historic Company's Garden and Table Mountain. The central complex, known as the Houses of Parliament, Cape Town, consists of three main sections: the original building completed in 1884, the later additions, and the modern National Assembly Building constructed in the 1980s. Key chambers include the Old Assembly Chamber and the National Council of Provinces Chamber. Following a devastating fire in January 2022, which severely damaged the older buildings, parliamentary activities were temporarily relocated to other facilities within the precinct, such as the Good Hope Chamber. The precinct also includes office towers and is distinct from the executive seat of government in Pretoria and the judicial seat in Bloemfontein.

Category:National legislatures Category:Politics of South Africa