The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), was approved by the Constitutional Court (CC) on 4 December 1996 and took effect on 4 February 1997.
The Union Buildings in Pretoria have been the venue for the inauguration of South Africa's first democratically elected presidents: Nelson Mandela on 27 April 1994 and Thabo Mbeki on 16 June 1999. The Union Buildings, which have become a symbol of unity in South Africa, were designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913.
build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign State in the family of nations.
Parliament is the legislative authority of South Africa and has the power to make laws for the country in accordance with the Constitution. It consists of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). Parliamentary sittings are open to the public.
The National Assembly consists of no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 members elected through a system of proportional representation. The National Assembly, which is elected for a term of five years, is presided over by a Speaker, assisted by a Deputy Speaker.
The NCOP also has a website, NCOP Online! (http://www.parliament.gov.za/ncop), which links Parliament to the provincial legislatures and local government associations.
The President is the Head of State and leads the Cabinet. He or she is elected by the National Assembly from among its members, and leads the country in the interest of national unity, in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
The President of South Africa is Mr Thabo Mbeki.
The President appoints the Deputy President from among the members of the National Assembly. The Deputy President must assist the President in executing government functions. South Africa's Deputy President is Mr Jacob Zuma.
The President may select any number of Ministers from among the members of the National Assembly, and may select no more than two Ministers from outside the Assembly.
The President may appoint Deputy Ministers from among the members of the National Assembly.
Thabo Mbeki was born on 18 June 1942 in Idutywa, Queenstown. He joined the ANC Youth League at the age of 14 and in 1961 was elected Secretary of the African Students' Association. He also underwent military training in the then Soviet Union. From 1973 he worked in Botswana, Swaziland, Nigeria and Lusaka and became a member of the ANC's National Executive Commitee in 1975. Following the first democratic election in 1994, Thabo Mbeki was appointed Executive Deputy President. In 1997, he was elected President of the ANC and in June 1999, after the country's second democratic election, he succeeded Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa.
The Directorate is involved in the issue of the constitutional position of Khoisan communities. Following initiatives by the Griqua people, the National Griqua Forum was established. Another milestone was the establishment of the National Khoisan Council in May 1999. The main aim of the Council is to assist government with the investigation of constitutional issues relating to Khoisan communities. Together with and with the approval of the National Khoisan Council, and in collaboration with communities concerned, a phased research process was adopted to investigate how best to constitutionally promote and protect the rights of Khoisan communities. The research ultimately culminated in a consolidated report from which policy on the Khoisan will be finalised.
Sport and Recreation become commissioners of oath. This brings justice services closer to communities. The granting of these powers to traditional leaders was a result of constant requests by the public, especially in rural areas. The most common problem expressed was the long distances and high traveling expenses incurred to access such services.
Section 81 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998), was amended during 2000, which provides enhanced representation of traditional leaders in the municipal councils from 10% to 20%.
The National House of Traditional Leaders was established in April 1997. Each provincial House of Traditional Leaders nominated three members to be represented in the National House, which then elected its own officebearers.
The National House advises national government on the role of traditional leaders and on customary law. It may also conduct its own investigations and advise the country's President on request.
For the financial year 2000/01, the President determined a 5% increment in the remuneration of traditional leaders and members of the National and Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders. This was done after consultation with Premiers of the provinces concerned.
The Volkstaat Council was dissolved and the Volkstaat Council Act, 1994 (Act 30 of 1994), repealed through Presidential Proclamation on 30 April 2001.
The Executive Council of a province consists of a Premier and a number of members. The Premier is elected by the Provincial Legislature.
Decisions are taken by consensus, as happens in the national Cabinet. Besides being able to make provincial laws, a provincial legislature may adopt a constitution for its province if twothirds of its members agree. However, a provincial constitution must correspond with the national Constitution as confirmed by the CC.