The Constitution of South Africa is the supreme law of the country. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the Republic of South Africa, sets out the rights and duties of the citizens of South Africa, and defines the structure of the Government of South Africa. The current Constitution of South Africa was adopted by the Constitutional Assembly on 11 October 1996.
South Africa is a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic, wherein the President of South Africa, elected by parliament, is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of Parliament, the Council of Provinces and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Government is three-tiered, with representatives being elected at the national, provincial and local levels. South Africans also elect provincial legislatures which govern in respect of each of the country’s nine provinces.
The President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state and head of government under South Africa’s Constitution. The President is elected by members of the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, usually being the leader of the largest party, which has been the African National Congress since the first non-racial elections were held on 27 April 1994. The first President to be elected under the new Constitution was Nelson Mandela, who was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki in 1999, followed by Kgalema Motlanthe in September 2008, Jacob Zuma in May 2009 and Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018. In §5, section 88, the Constitution also limits the President’s time in office to two terms. Presidents are elected after each parliamentary election, giving presidents a term of office of between five and ten years.
General elections are held every 5 years. The first fully multi-racial democratic election was held in 1994.
Government leaders (30 June 2024)
President Mr Ramaphosa, Matamela Cyril | |
Deputy President of South Africa Mr Mashatile, Paul Shipokosa | |
Ministers | |
Minister in the Presidency | Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni |
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities | Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga |
Ministers | |
Minister of Agriculture | Mr John Steenhuisen |
Minister of Basic Education | Ms Siviwe Gwarube |
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies | Mr Solly Malatsi |
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa |
Minister of Correctional Services | Mr Pieter Groenewald |
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans | Ms Angie Motshekga |
Minister of Electricity and Energy | Mr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa |
Minister of Employment and Labour | Ms Nomakhosazana Meth |
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment | Mr Dion George |
Minister of Finance | Mr Enoch Godongwana |
Minister of Health | Dr Aaron Motsoaledi |
Minister of Higher Education | Dr Nobuhle Nkabane |
Minister of Home Affairs | Dr Leon Schreiber |
Minister of Human Settlements | Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi |
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation | Mr Ronald Lamola |
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development | Ms Thembi Nkadimeng |
Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development | Mr Mzwanele Nyhontso |
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources | Mr Gwede Mantashe |
Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation | Ms Maropene Ramokgopa |
Minister of Police | Mr Senzo Mchunu |
Minister of Public Service and Administration | Mr Mzamo Buthelezi |
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure | Mr Dean Macpherson |
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation | Dr Blade Nzimande |
Minister of Small Business Development | Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams |
Minister of Social Development | Ms Sisisi Tolashe |
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture | Mr Gayton McKenzie |
Minister of Tourism | Ms Patricia de Lille |
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition | Mr Parks Tau |
Minister of Transport | Ms Barbara Creecy |
Minister of Water and Sanitation | Ms Pemmy Majodina |
Deputy-ministers | |
Deputy Minister of Agriculture | Ms Rosemary Nokuzola Capa |
Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development | Stanley Mathabatha |
Deputy Minister of Basic Education | Ms Reginah Mhaule |
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies | Mr Mondli Gungubele |
Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Mr Dickson Masemola |
Mr Zolile Burns‐Ncamashe | |
Deputy Minister of Correctional Services | Ms Lindiwe Ntshalintshali |
Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans | Mr Bantu Holomisa |
Mr Richard Mkhungo | |
Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy | Ms Samantha Graham |
Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour | Mr Jomo Sibiya |
Ms Phumzile Mgcina | |
Deputy Ministers of Finance | Mr David Masondo |
Mr Ashor Sarupen | |
Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment | Mr Narend Singh |
Ms Bernice Swarts | |
Deputy Minister of Health | Dr Joe Phaahla |
Deputy Ministers of Higher Education | Mr Buti Manamela |
Ms Mimmy Gondwe | |
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs | Mr Njabulo Nzuza |
Deputy Minister of Human Settlements | Ms Tandi Mahambehlala |
Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation | Mr Alvin Botes |
Ms Thandi Moraka | |
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development | Mr Andries Nel |
Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources | Ms Judith Tshabalala |
Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation | Mr Seiso Mohai |
Deputy Ministers of Police | Ms Polly Boshielo |
Mr Cassel Mathale | |
Deputy Ministers in the Presidency | Ms Nonceba Mhlauli |
Mr Kenneth Morolong | |
Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration | Ms Pinky Kekana |
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure | Mr Sihle Zikalala |
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation | Ms Nomalungelo Gina |
Deputy Minister of Small Business Development | Ms Jane Sithole |
Deputy Minister of Social Development | Mr Ganief Hendricks |
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture | Ms Peace Mabe |
Deputy Minister of Tourism | Ms Maggie Sotyu |
Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition | Mr Zuko Godlimpi |
Mr Andrew Whitfield | |
Deputy Minister of Transport | Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa |
Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation | Mr David Mahlobo |
Mr Sello Seitlholo | |
Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities | Ms Steve Letsike |
Premiers | |
Mabuyane, Lubabalo Oscar, Mr | Eastern Cape |
Letsoha-Mathae, Maqueen Joyce, Ms | Free State |
Lesufi, Panyaza, Mr | Gauteng |
Ntuli, Thami, Mr | KwaZulu-Natal |
Ramathuba, Phophi , Dr | Limpopo |
Ndlovu, Mandla, Mr | Mpumalanga |
Mokgosi, Lazarus, Mr | North West |
Saul, Zamani, Dr | Northern Cape |
Winde, Alan, Mr | Western Cape |
National Assembly (NA) | |
Didiza, Angela Thoko, Ms | Speaker |
Lotriet, Annelie, Dr | Deputy Speaker |