Parliament of South Africa Facts for Kids

The Parliament of South Africa is the main law-making body in South Africa. Think of it as the place where important decisions are made for the country. It has two main parts: the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. The Parliament that is working right now, the twenty-seventh one, started on 22 May 2019.

For a long time, from 1910 to 1994, only the white minority in South Africa could vote for members of Parliament. This was during a time called apartheid, which was a system of unfair separation. After apartheid ended, the first elections where everyone could vote happened in 1994. This was a very important moment for South Africa.

What is the Parliament of South Africa?
- The Two Houses of Parliament
- How Laws Are Made
A Look Back in Time
- The End of Apartheid
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What is the Parliament of South Africa?

The Parliament is where elected representatives from all over South Africa meet. Their main job is to make, change, or remove laws. These laws affect everyone living in the country. They also discuss important issues and make sure the government is doing its job properly.

The Two Houses of Parliament

The Parliament of South Africa is made up of two "houses" or parts:

The National Assembly is the main house. It has 400 members who are elected by the people of South Africa. This house is responsible for choosing the President and making most of the country's laws.
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) represents the nine provinces of South Africa. It makes sure that the interests of each province are considered when new laws are being made. It has 90 members, with 10 from each province.

How Laws Are Made

Making a new law is a careful process. It usually starts as an idea, which then becomes a draft law called a "bill." This bill is discussed and debated in both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. Members can suggest changes. If both houses agree on the bill, it then goes to the President. Once the President signs it, the bill officially becomes a law.

A Look Back in Time

The Parliament of South Africa has a long history. Before 1994, the country had a system called apartheid. During this time, only a small part of the population, mainly white people, could vote and be part of Parliament. This meant that the laws made did not represent all South Africans.

The End of Apartheid

The year 1994 was a turning point for South Africa. After many years of struggle, apartheid ended. The first democratic elections were held, where all adult citizens, regardless of their race, could vote. This election led to the creation of a new Parliament that truly represented all the people of South Africa. This new Parliament began to work on creating a fairer and more equal country for everyone.