Parliament

Parliament is the national legislature of South Africa, responsible for making laws, overseeing the executive branch, and representing the interests of the country's citizens. It operates as a bicameral institution comprising the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. The National Assembly has 400 members elected through a system of proportional representation, while the National Council of Provinces consists of 90 delegates representing the nine provinces. Parliament sits in Cape Town, which serves as South Africa's legislative capital, though it also holds sessions in other locations when necessary. Its core functions include passing legislation, approving budgets, scrutinising government departments through portfolio committees, and holding ministers and deputy ministers accountable for their performance. Members of Parliament debate policy, question the executive, and participate in committee work that examines specific sectors such as higher education, finance, health, and mineral resources. The institution plays a crucial role in South Africa's constitutional democracy, providing a forum for multiparty debate and oversight. Portfolio committees regularly summon ministers, deputy ministers, and departmental officials to report on implementation of programmes, expenditure, and service delivery. Parliament was established in its current form following South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994, replacing the apartheid-era legislative structures.