Government of South Africa - Wikipedia Government of South Africa This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( May 2014 ) South Africa This article is part of a series on the politics and government of South Africa Constitution Bill of Rights Executive President Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy President David Mabuza Cabinet Shadow Cabinet Legislative National Council of Provinces Chairperson Thandi Modise National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete Leader of the Opposition Mmusi Maimane Judiciary Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng Deputy Chief Justice Ray Zondo Courts Constitutional Court Supreme Court of Appeal President : Mandisa Maya High Court Magistrate 's courts Electoral Court Elections General 1910 1915 1920 1921 1924 1929 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1961 1966 1970 1974 1977 1981 1984 1987 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 Municipal 2000 2006 2011 2016 Referendums 1960 1983 1992 Political parties Administrative divisions Provinces Districts Metropolitan municipality District municipality Municipalities ( list ) Foreign relations Minister of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic missions Passport Related topics Human rights Taxation Protests Repression Political assassinations Other countries Atlas The Republic of South Africa is a parliamentary republic with three - tier system of government and an independent judiciary, operating in a parliamentary system. Legislative authority is held by the Parliament of South Africa. Executive authority is vested in the President of South Africa who is head of state and head of government, and his Cabinet. The President is elected by the Parliament to serve a fixed term. South Africa 's government differs greatly from those of other Commonwealth nations. The national, provincial and local levels of government all have legislative and executive authority in their own spheres, and are defined in the South African Constitution as `` distinctive, interdependent and interrelated ''. Operating at both national and provincial levels ( `` spheres '' ) are advisory bodies drawn from South Africa 's traditional leaders. It is a stated intention in the Constitution that the country be run on a system of co-operative governance. The national government is composed of three inter-connected branches : Legislative : Parliament, consisting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces Executive : The President, who is both Head of State and Head of Government Judicial : The Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, and the High Court All bodies of the South African government are subject to the rule of the Constitution, which is the Supreme law in South Africa. Contents 1 Legislative 2 Executive 2.1 Ministries 3 Judicial 4 Provincial government 5 Local government 6 Opposition 7 References 8 External links Legislative The Houses of Parliament in Cape Town. Main article : Parliament of South Africa The bicameral Parliament of South Africa makes up the legislative branch of the national government. It consists of the National Assembly ( the lower house ) and the National Council of Provinces ( the upper house ). The National Assembly consists of 400 members elected by popular vote using a system of party - list proportional representation. Half of the members are elected from parties ' provincial lists and the other half from national lists. Following the implementation of the new constitution on 3 February 1997 the National Council of Provinces replaced the former Senate with essentially no change in membership and party affiliations, although the new institution 's responsibilities have been changed ; with the body now having special powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities. In ordinary legislation, the two chambers have coordinate powers, but all proposals for appropriating revenue or imposing taxes must be introduced in the National Assembly. The President is elected by the members of the General Assembly. Upon election the President resigns as an MP and appoints a Cabinet of Ministers from among the members. Ministers however retain their parliamentary seats. The President and the Ministers are responsible to the Parliament, of which they must be elected members. General elections are held at least once every five years. The last general election was held on 7 May 2014. Executive The Union Buildings, the seat of the national executive The President, Deputy President and the Ministers make up the executive branch of the national government. Ministers are Members of Parliament who are appointed by the President to head the various departments of the national government. The president is elected by parliament from its members. The ministers individually, and the Cabinet collectively, are accountable to Parliament for their actions. Ministries Main article : Cabinet of South Africa Each minister is responsible for one or more departments, and some ministers have a deputy minister to whom they delegate some responsibility. The portfolios, incumbent ministers and deputies, and departments are shown in the following table. Portfolio Minister Party Deputy Minister Party President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa ANC - - Deputy President of South Africa David Mabuza ANC - - Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Minister in the Presidency Nkosazana Dlamini - Zuma ANC - - Women Minister in the Presidency Bathabile Dlamini ANC - - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana SACP Sfiso Buthelezi ANC Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa ANC Maggie Sotyu ANC Basic Education Angie Motshekga ANC Enver Surty ANC Communications Nomvula Mokonyane SACP Pinky Kekana ANC Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Zweli Mkhize ANC Andries Nel, Obed Bapela ANC Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa - Nqakula ANC Kebby Maphatsoe ANC Economic Development Ebrahim Patel COSATU Madala Masuku ANC Energy Jeff Radebe SACP Thembi Majola ANC Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa ANC Barbara Thomson ANC Finance Nhlanhla Nene ANC Mondli Gungubele ANC Health Aaron Motsoaledi ANC Joe Phaahla ANC Higher Education and Training Naledi Pandor ANC Buti Manamela ANC Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba ANC Fatima Chohan ANC Human Settlements Nomaindia Mfeketo ANC Zoe Kota - Hendricks ANC International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu ANC Luwellyn Landers, Reginah Mhaule ANC Justice and Correctional Services Michael Masutha ANC John Jeffery, Thabang Makwetla ANC Labour Mildred Oliphant ANC Inkosi Patekile Holomisa ANC Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe ANC Godfrey Oliphant ANC Police Bheki Cele ANC Bongani Mkongi ANC Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan ANC - - Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo ANC Chana Pilane - Majeke ANC Public Works Thulas Nxesi ANC Jeremy Cronin SACP Rural Development and Land Reform Maite Nkoana - Mashabane ANC Mcebisi Skwatsha, Candith Mashego - Dlamini ANC Science and Technology Nkhensani Kubayi - Ngubane ANC Zanele kaMagwaza - Msibi NFP Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu ANC Cassel Mathale ANC Social Development Susan Shabangu ANC Hendrietta Bogopane - Zulu ANC Sport and Recreation Tokozile Xasa ANC Gert Oosthuizen ANC State Security Dipuo Letsatsi - Duba ANC Ellen Molekane ANC Telecommunications and Postal Services Siyabonga Cwele ANC Stella Ndabeni - Abrahams ANC Tourism Derek Hanekom ANC Elizabeth Thabethe ANC Trade and Industry Rob Davies SACP Gratitude Magwanishe ANC Transport Blade Nzimande SACP Sindisiwe Chikunga ANC Water and Sanitation Gugile Nkwinti ANC Pam Tshwete ANC Judicial Main article : Judiciary of South Africa The third branch of the national government is an independent judiciary. The judicial branch interprets the laws, using as a basis the laws as enacted and explanatory statements made in the Legislature during the enactment. The legal system is based on Roman - Dutch law and English common law and accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations. The constitution 's bill of rights provides for due process including the right to a fair, public trial within a reasonable time of being charged and the right to appeal to a higher court. To achieve this, there are four major tiers of courts : Magistrates ' Courts -- The court where civil cases involving less than R100 000, and cases involving minor crimes, are heard. High Courts -- The court of appeal for cases from the magistrates courts, as well as the court where major civil and criminal cases are first heard. Supreme Court of Appeal -- The final court of appeal for matters not pertaining to the constitution. Constitutional Court -- The final court of appeal for matters related to the constitution In addition provision is made in the constitution for other courts established by or recognised in terms of an Act of Parliament. Provincial government Main article : Provincial governments of South Africa The provincial governments of the nine provinces of South Africa have their own executive and legislative branches, but not separate judicial systems. In each province the legislative branch consists of a provincial legislature, varying in size from 30 to 80 members, which is elected through party - list proportional representation. The legislature elects one of its members as Premier to lead the executive branch, and the Premier appoints between five and ten members of the legislature as an executive council ( a cabinet ) to lead the various departments of the provincial government. Local government Main article : Municipalities of South Africa Local government in South Africa consists of municipalities of various types. The largest metropolitan areas are governed by metropolitan municipalities, while the rest of the country is divided into district municipalities, each of which consists of several local municipalities. After the municipal election of 18 May 2011 there were eight metropolitan municipalities, 44 district municipalities and 226 local municipalities. Municipalities are governed by municipal councils which are elected every five years. The councils of metropolitan and local municipalities are elected by a system of mixed - member proportional representation, while the councils of district municipalities are partly elected by proportional representation and partly appointed by the councils of the constituent local municipalities. Opposition In each legislative body, the party or coalition of parties holding a majority of seats forms the government. The largest party not in the government is recognised as the official opposition. References Jump up ^ http://www.elections.org.za/content/Elections/Elections-timetables-Municipal-by-elections/ Jump up ^ `` Government Leaders ''. South African Government. Retrieved 2018 - 02 - 15. Jump up ^ With the exception of the Prince Edward Islands, although they are for certain legal purposes deemed to fall within the City of Cape Town. Jump up ^ `` Municipal elections : fact file ''. Media Club South Africa. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Understanding Local Government ''. Community Organisers Toolbox. Education and Training Unit. Retrieved 24 May 2012. External links South African Government Online Constitution of South Africa Other South African Governments Kingdoms Colonies Boer States Bantustans National Kingdom of Mapungubwe ( c. 1075 -- c. 1220 ) Mthethwa Paramountcy ( c. 1780 -- 1817 ) Ndwandwe Kingdom ( c. 1780 -- 1819 ) Zulu Kingdom ( 1816 -- 97 ) Dutch Cape Colony ( 1652 -- 1806 ) Cape Colony ( 1795 -- 1910 ) Natal Colony ( 1843 -- 1910 ) Orange River Colony ( 1902 -- 10 ) Transvaal Colony ( 1902 -- 10 ) Natalia Republic ( 1839 -- 43 ) Orange Free State ( 1854 -- 1902 ) Griqualand East ( 1861 -- 79 ) Griqualand West ( 1870 -- 73 ) Goshen ( 1882 -- 83 ) Stellaland ( 1882 -- 85 ) Nieuwe Republiek ( 1884 -- 88 ) Upingtonia ( 1885 -- 87 ) Klein Vrystaat ( 1886 -- 91 ) Gazankulu ( 1971 -- 94 ) Lebowa ( 1972 -- 94 ) QwaQwa ( 1974 -- 94 ) Transkei ( 1976 -- 94 ) Bophuthatswana ( 1977 -- 94 ) Venda ( 1979 -- 94 ) Ciskei ( 1981 -- 94 ) KaNgwane ( 1981 -- 94 ) KwaNdebele ( 1981 -- 94 ) KwaZulu ( 1981 -- 94 ) Cape Qualified Franchise ( 1853 -- 1910 ) South African Republic ( 1856 -- 1902 ) Union of South Africa ( 1910 -- 61 ) Republic of South Africa ( 1961 -- Present ) Current Government Governments of Africa Sovereign states Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde ( Cabo Verde ) Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Gabon The Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea - Bissau Ivory Coast ( Côte d'Ivoire ) Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe States with limited recognition Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Somaliland Dependencies and other territories Canary Islands / Ceuta / Melilla ( Spain ) Madeira ( Portugal ) Mayotte / Réunion ( France ) Saint Helena / Ascension Island / Tristan da Cunha ( United Kingdom ) Western Sahara Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Government_of_South_Africa&oldid=843174929 '' Categories : Government of South Africa Politics of South Africa Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from May 2014 All articles needing additional references Use South African English from May 2012 All Wikipedia articles written in South African English Use dmy dates from May 2011 All Wikipedia articles needing clarification Wikipedia articles needing clarification from April 2014 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 27 May 2018, at 11 : 34. 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Question: what are the 3 branches of government in south africa
Answer: Legislative