How does Parliament work?

Parliament is made up of two Houses, the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The members are elected by the people of South Africa.

Each House has its own distinct functions and powers. The National Assembly is responsible for choosing the President, passing laws, ensuring that the members of the executive perform their work properly and providing a forum where the representatives of the people can publicly debate issues. The Speaker is the head and spokesperson of the National Assembly.

The National Council of Provinces is also involved in the law‑making process and provides a forum for debate on issues affecting the provinces. Its main focus is to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government. The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces is the head of and spokesperson for that House.

One of Parliament’s most important roles is to approve the government’s budget for providing services to the people of South Africa.

Get more information on the Parliament website.

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