Explain the important role played by the President in the country.
Assents to bills
The President signs bills into law after they have been passed by Parliament.
Refers bills back for consideration
If the President finds problems in a bill, he may return it to Parliament for further discussion and correction.
Convenes meetings of cabinet
The President regularly calls cabinet meetings to lead discussions on government plans and issues.
Appoints commissions of enquiry and ambassadors
He has the authority to create investigation teams and appoint ambassadors to represent South Africa abroad.
Refers disputes that might occur in Parliament, to the Constitutional Court or other appropriate institution
The President helps resolve legal conflicts in Parliament by sending them to the appropriate judicial body.
Appointment and recognition of diplomatic officers
He is responsible for officially appointing and acknowledging South Africa’s diplomats.
Negotiation and signing of international agreements
The President handles international treaties and agreements, ensuring South Africa’s interests are represented globally.
Proclamation of referenda
He can announce national votes on key issues through referenda.
Pardons offenders
The President has the power to forgive certain offenders, often for humanitarian or special reasons.
Appointment of deputy president and members of cabinet
He selects the deputy president and ministers who will assist in running the country.
Dismissal of deputy president and ministers
The President also has the authority to remove cabinet members if necessary.
Management of the cabinet
He is the head of the cabinet and ensures that it functions effectively.
Formulation and execution of policies of the national government
The President develops and enforces national policies.
Allocation of functions to executive deputy president
He can assign responsibilities to the deputy president to support government operations.
Describe the composition of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly consists of 400 members.
This is the total number of representatives who make laws and decisions in the Assembly.
200 seats are allocated based on the national election according to the percentage of votes of each party
Half of the members are chosen by how many national votes their political party receives.
200 seats are allocated to the various provinces, as follows:
Each province is given a set number of representatives based on population and other factors:
Gauteng: 43
KwaZulu-Natal: 40
Eastern Cape: 28
Western Cape: 21
Limpopo: 20
Free State: 15
North-West: 15
Mpumalanga: 14
Northern Cape: 4
A speaker is elected amongst members, and serves as a chairperson of the National Assembly.
The speaker is chosen from the members and is in charge of maintaining order during debates.
Each political party will choose a leader for the National Assembly, called the chief whip.
The chief whip ensures that members of each party follow party decisions and attend sessions.
Each political party may choose additional whips at the ratio of 1 whip to every 8.69 members.
This allows fair representation and leadership within larger political parties.
Political parties that are too small to have a whip can attend meetings of the whip.
Even smaller parties can stay informed and involved in decisions during these meetings.
Majority party can appoint a deputy whip
The ruling party has the option to assign a deputy to support the chief whip.
They are elected every 5 years.
The members serve for a five-year term before new elections are held.
Describe the requirements of members of the National Assembly.
South African citizen
A person must be a legal citizen of South Africa to qualify for membership.
Qualified to vote in the general elections
Only individuals who are eligible to vote can be elected to the National Assembly.
Must make an oath or solemn affirmation to do their duties
Each member must formally promise to serve the country and carry out their responsibilities with integrity.
Explain the FIVE aims of the Constitution of South Africa.
To heal the divisions of the past and create a society based on democratic values, social justice and basic human rights.
This aim focuses on correcting the injustices of apartheid and ensuring fairness and equality for all.
To lay the foundation for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by the law.
It establishes a government chosen by the people and guarantees equal legal protection.
To improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of all people.
The Constitution supports development so every person can live well and reach their full ability.
To determine the relationship between citizens and the governing institutions
It clearly defines how government and citizens interact, and what rights and duties each has.
To build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations
It promotes unity and national pride, ensuring South Africa is respected in the global community.
To serve as a system of basic principles and rules according to which the country must be governed.
The Constitution is the highest law that guides how the country operates.
It also spells out the powers according to which the governing institutions may govern.
It defines the legal authority and responsibilities of all branches of government.
Explain the term proportional representation system.
According to proportional representation, there is a direct relationship between the support received by each political party in the election, and the number of seats received by that party in Parliament.
This means that the number of seats a party gets is directly linked to the number of votes it receives in the election.
If a party gets 70% of the votes in the National elections, they should get 70% seats in the National Assembly.
This system ensures fair representation of voters’ choices in Parliament.
Describe the important role played by the Provincial Legislature by using the following headings:
Consist of 30 to 100 members
Each province has between 30 and 100 representatives, depending on its size.
Elected on a proportional basis in a general election.
Members are chosen based on the number of votes each party receives in the province.
The premier is the head of the province and the provincial legislature
The premier leads the province and works closely with the legislature to make decisions.
Term of office is FIVE years
Members serve a five-year term before a new election is held.
Agriculture
The province has the power to manage farming and agricultural activities.
Cultural affairs
They can promote and protect the cultures within their province.
Education, excluding universities of technology and universities
The legislature controls basic education, but not universities.
Health services
They manage hospitals, clinics, and health policies in the province.
Housing
The province is responsible for planning and providing houses to residents.
Language policy
They decide which languages are used officially in their region.
Police and protection services
They help manage local policing and community safety.
Public transport
They oversee taxis, buses, and transport infrastructure in the province.
Tourism
The legislature promotes local tourism and related businesses.
Local government
They support and guide municipal operations and service delivery.
Gambling (except lotteries)
They can regulate gambling establishments within the province.
Environment
They are responsible for protecting natural resources and the environment.
Public works
The province handles the construction and maintenance of public buildings and roads.
Regional planning and development
They plan and guide growth and infrastructure in the region.
Traditional leaders
They recognise and support traditional leadership systems.
Urban and rural development
They are responsible for improving both cities and rural areas.
Discuss and pass bills
They have the power to make and approve laws in the province.
Decisions are made by voting
All major decisions are made through formal voting processes.
May determine and control its internal affairs
The legislature sets its own rules and manages its own activities.
Members have freedom of speech and debate subject to the rules and order
They are free to speak during sessions, as long as they follow the rules.
Name the nine provinces of South Africa.
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Eastern Cape
- Western Cape
- Limpopo
- Free State
- North-West
- Mpumalanga
- Northern Cape
Describe the important powers and functions of the Premier as the head of the executive authority in provincial administration.
To appoint or dismiss executive council members
The Premier has the authority to select or remove members of the executive council.
To convene executive meetings
The Premier calls meetings to discuss and decide on provincial matters.
To assent to and sign provincial Bills
They must approve and sign laws passed by the legislature.
To refer a Bill to the provincial legislature for further consideration
If necessary, they can send a law back for changes or clarification.
To refer a Bill to the Constitutional Court for a decision on the Bill’s constitutionality
The Premier can ask the court to decide if a law is legal under the Constitution.
Appoints commissions of enquiry
They can set up investigations to deal with important provincial issues.
Assents to the provincial constitution
The Premier approves the province’s own constitution, if it has one.
Implements provincial legislation
They make sure laws passed in the province are carried out.
Implements national legislation
The Premier helps enforce national laws at the provincial level.
Administers the province
They oversee the daily running of the provincial government.
Develops and implements provincial policy
The Premier creates policies to improve services and development in the province.
Summons the Provincial Legislature for an extraordinary meeting to conduct urgent matters
If needed, they can call special meetings to deal with urgent issues.
Dissolves the provincial legislature and calls an election after a vote of no confidence in the executive council has been passed by the legislature
If the legislature loses trust in the executive council, the Premier may dissolve it and call new elections.
Calls a referendum of the province
The Premier can ask citizens to vote on major issues directly.
Coordinates the provincial administration and its departments
They ensure that all departments work together effectively.
Assigns powers and functions to the executive council
The Premier delegates specific responsibilities to members of the council.
Appoints or dismisses executive council members
They have full authority over choosing and removing members of their executive team.
“Managed by government.”
Public institutions are controlled and directed by the government.
“Found in the public sector.”
They operate within the government-controlled area known as the public sector.
“Exist to improve the general welfare of the people.”
Their main aim is to serve the public and promote social and economic well-being.
“Accountable to the people as they used taxpayers’ money.”
Public institutions are answerable to the citizens because they are funded by tax money.
“Provision of essential services.”
They provide critical services such as healthcare, education, and security.
“Carried out in privately owned businesses.”
Private institutions are owned and operated by individuals or companies, not the state.
“Found in the private sector.”
They operate in the non-government part of the economy, focusing on business and trade.
“Exist to make a profit.”
Their main goal is to generate income for the owners or investors.
“Not accountable to the people as they used their own money to start a business.”
They do not report to the public because their operations are funded privately.
“Involved in manufacturing and trading of products and services.”
Private institutions usually focus on producing goods or offering services to earn revenue.
“Policymaking”
This involves creating plans and laws to guide the department’s actions and decisions.
“Organising”
It refers to arranging resources, duties, and structures to carry out tasks effectively.
“Financing”
This includes managing budgets and making sure there is enough money to run services.
“Staffing/Personnel provisioning and utilisation”
It means hiring and managing people to fill necessary roles in the department.
“Determination of work methods and procedure”
This sets the official ways and steps tasks should be done in the department.
“Control”
It involves checking that everything is running according to plan and correcting any problems.
“Responsibility to provide the physical, social and administrative services or public services.”
State departments deliver services like housing, health, education, and road infrastructure.
“Meet the needs of the citizens.”
They help improve people’s lives by ensuring that public needs are addressed efficiently.
“Ministers are the political heads of a state department and services are performed by the government officials.”
The political leaders make decisions, while qualified public officials carry out the daily operations.
“It is an organisational unit used to perform a specific service group of similar services, e.g. education by the Department of Education.”
Each department has a clear focus area, like health or education, to provide specialised services.
“They implement policies of government.”
Departments turn government decisions and laws into real actions and programs.
“Prepare budget proposals to be included in the national budget.”
They plan how much money they need and submit budgets for approval.
“People have the opportunity to choose and identify people that they send to parliament by means of regular and general elections.”
Citizens vote to elect representatives to lead and make laws on their behalf.
“A democratic state follows democracy, which means government of the people for the people and by the people.”
In a democracy, power belongs to the people, and leaders serve their interests.
“Few people are vested with the authority to make decisions that people are compelled to obey.”
Elected leaders are given decision-making power, which must be respected by citizens.
“In a democratic state, people are given many rights which are guaranteed by legislation.”
Democracy protects freedoms like speech, equality, and the right to vote.
“Regular, free and fair elections.”
Citizens can vote regularly in fair conditions without corruption or unfair influence.
“Leaders must not abuse authority for their own benefit.”
Democratic governments are expected to serve people honestly and not misuse power.
“Democracy is based on many principles, such as the Rule of Law and division of authority of the state.”
A democratic state is guided by laws and separation of powers to prevent abuse.
“Must be a South African citizen”
Only citizens of South Africa are allowed to vote.
“18 years and older”
Voters must be at least 18 years of age.
“Registered to vote”
One must be officially registered on the voters’ roll.
“Must have a legal voter document (ID)”
A valid South African ID is required to verify identity.
“A permanent resident of the country”
People legally living in South Africa long-term may qualify to vote.
“Not subject to any disqualifications contained in the act”
Individuals banned by law, like certain criminals, cannot vote.
“Abbreviated names of all registered parties”
Each political party is listed with its short name.
“Sign or symbol of each party in colour”
Colour symbols help voters easily recognise their preferred party.
“Photograph of the leader of the party”
A photo of the party leader may be shown for quick identification.
“Gives the citizens of the country an opportunity to choose their leaders every 5 years.”
Regular elections allow people to decide who should govern them.
“If the majority of the citizens are not happy with their government, they can vote the majority party out of power.”
It ensures accountability, as unhappy voters can replace leaders through voting.
“The party that wins the next elections will then become the majority party and will form a new government.”
Elections determine which party will take leadership and form policies.
“Different political office bearers are chosen based on election results and this can benefit the citizens as they can bring new ideas and satisfy their needs.”
Changing leaders may lead to new plans and better service delivery to citizens.
“The child’s first contact with welfare services is gained within the family, where care is taken of the aged, the ill and helpless children.”
A family provides early exposure to care systems, teaching children how to care for vulnerable people.
“The family is the child’s first contact with the system of protection, where the family protects its members and property.”
Children first learn about safety and security within their family, which protects its people and belongings.
“The family serves as a first status symbol, as he belongs to a group with a cultural and social background.”
A child gains identity, traditions, and social values through their family unit.
“The child will not only receive parental care, help support and emotional security, but also skills to cope in the community.”
Families teach children emotional strength and basic life skills needed in society.
“The child learns to develop interpersonal relationships, which will determine whether the world is friendly or hostile.”
Through family interaction, children begin to understand how to relate to others.
“The parent introduces the child to a variety of groups in his environment and to the characteristics of each of these groups.”
Parents expose children to different social circles, preparing them for broader community life.
“The child is taught to love his/her neighbour, to sacrifice his/her personal needs for the benefit of the group.”
Family instills values like kindness and community responsibility in children.
“The child is introduced to social restrictions such as acceptable behavioural norms, limits of tolerance of what is right and wrong, moral standards, attitudes.”
Children learn right from wrong and how to behave according to society’s rules.
“Family prepares him/her to accept responsibilities in the community.”
Families prepare children to take active and responsible roles in the wider community.
“If they obtain citizenship of another country”
Gaining another country’s citizenship can cause loss of South African citizenship.
“Through abnegation – accepting political asylum of another country”
Choosing to live under another government’s protection may cancel your original citizenship.
“Through superannuation”
Citizenship may be cancelled when it legally expires due to age or other time-based conditions.
“Through dispossession: By the Minister”
The government may take away someone’s citizenship through official decision-making.
“Ensure that national and provincial policies are enforced on local level”
Local government carries out decisions and rules from the national and provincial authorities.
“Government closest to the people to understand their needs.”
It operates near the people, so it better understands and responds to local needs.
“To provide democratic and accountable government for local communities”
Local government must be transparent and responsible in its actions towards citizens.
“To ensure the provision of services to communities”
It must provide services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and waste removal.
“To promote social and economic development”
Local government works to uplift communities by encouraging business, jobs, and social growth.
“To promote a safe and healthy environment for communities”
It ensures that people live in clean, safe, and healthy areas.
“To encourage the involvement of communities in matters of local government”
Citizens should take part in decision-making through meetings, consultations, and committees.
“What the status, powers and functions of national or provincial bodies are when there is a dispute between them.”
The Court settles legal disagreements about roles and powers between different levels of government.
“Whether a bill before Parliament or a provincial legislature is constitutional”
It checks if proposed laws follow the Constitution before they are passed.
“Whether a law of Parliament or a provincial law is constitutional.”
The Court reviews existing laws to ensure they align with the Constitution.
“If amendments to the Constitution are constitutional”
Changes to the Constitution must be approved as lawful by the Court.
“Whether another court was correct when it found that the behaviour of the President is unconstitutional.”
It confirms or overrules decisions about the President’s actions based on the Constitution.
“If the working of Parliament is constitutional.”
The Court reviews how Parliament operates to ensure it follows legal rules.
“If a provincial constitution or amendments to a provincial constitution are constitutional”
It verifies whether provincial laws and changes are valid under national law.
“A matter must be heard by at least 11 judges.”
Cases in this Court are judged by a panel of no fewer than 11 justices.
“The court does not hear evidence or question witnesses.”
It makes decisions based on documents rather than live testimonies.
“It usually works from written arguments presented to it. Most of the work of the Court consists of reading and analysing documents and preparing judgements.”
The Constitutional Court relies on legal documents and written submissions to make rulings.
“Executive committee (EXCO)”
This is the main decision-making body at municipal level that implements council decisions.
“Municipal departments”
These are specialised branches that carry out daily operations like water, health, or safety.
“Other office bearers in the local government”
Local leaders such as the mayor or councillors also play executive roles in governance.
“The Municipal Council makes bylaws, provided they are consistent with the national or provincial legislation.”
It passes local laws as long as they don’t go against national or provincial rules.
“Prescribe procedures to levy and recover rates and taxes.”
It sets systems to collect local taxes that fund services like electricity and waste removal.
“Prescribe how municipal income will be spent to provide the necessary services to maintain the wellbeing of all citizens.”
The council decides how to use funds to deliver services like clean water and roads.
“Ensure that national and provincial policies are enforced on local level”
It makes sure that all national and provincial plans are carried out in the community.
“Municipalities have the right to govern on their own initiative subject to national, provincial legislation and the Constitution.”
Councils can make decisions for their area as long as they follow the law.
“The municipal council will make by-laws on various matters. These matters concern, for example, tourism, refuse removal, health services, and storm water drainage.”
Local councils set rules for services such as rubbish removal and public health.
“A municipal council may decide on its own working method by establishing committees, although decisions must be taken by a full council.”
The council may set up teams to focus on issues, but major decisions need full approval.
Public Administration N4 | Parliament
Please sign in to request content and receive replies in your Student Dashboard.