Republic of South Africa · Constitution of 1996 · as of 5 November 2026
Three spheres, one Constitution.
Government in South Africa is “constituted as national, provincial and local spheres of government which are distinctive, interdependent and interrelated” (s.40(1)). Voters elect the National Assembly, nine provincial legislatures and 257 municipal councils; every executive above the municipality is then chosen by its legislature. Courts and six independent Chapter 9 institutions stand beside them, and traditional leaders are recognised under customary law.
Top to root · choose a body
Who sits where, chosen how.
National sphere
Judiciary
Chapter 9 and 10
Provincial sphere
Local sphere
Traditional leadership
Constitution
The Constitution
Who
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, adopted by the Constitutional Assembly on 8 May 1996, amended 11 October 1996, certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, in force 4 February 1997.
Chosen
Amended by Parliament: s.1 and s.74(1) itself need 75% of the National Assembly and six provinces in the NCOP; the Bill of Rights two-thirds of the Assembly and six provinces; other provisions two-thirds of the Assembly (and six provinces where they affect the NCOP or provinces).
Term
Supreme law (s.2): law or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid.
Powers
Founding values: human dignity, equality, non-racialism and non-sexism, the rule of law, universal adult suffrage, a national common voters roll, regular elections and a multi-party system (s.1).
Bill of Rights, Chapter 2; political rights s.19: every adult citizen has the right to vote in elections for any legislative body, in secret, and to stand for public office.
Government in three spheres — national, provincial and local — which must co-operate (Chapter 3).
Head of state and head of the national executive (s.83)
Chosen
Elected by the National Assembly from among its members at its first sitting, the Chief Justice presiding (s.86). On election the President ceases to be an MP (s.87).
Term
Until the next President takes office after an election; at most two terms (s.88).
Powers
Appoints and dismisses the Deputy President and ministers (s.91(2)).
Assents to and signs bills, or refers them back to the Assembly or to the Constitutional Court (s.79, s.84(2)(a)–(c)).
Appoints the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice after consulting the JSC and party leaders (s.174(3)); appoints Chapter 9 office-holders recommended by the Assembly (s.193(4)).
Calls national elections by proclamation (s.49(2)).
Can be removed by two-thirds of the Assembly for a serious violation of the Constitution, serious misconduct or inability (s.89); a motion of no confidence by a majority forces the President and Cabinet to resign (s.102(2)).
The President, the Deputy President and ministers — 32 ministers in the Government of National Unity, with deputy ministers outside the Cabinet
Chosen
Appointed by the President: ministers from the Assembly, no more than two from outside it (s.91(3)); deputy ministers likewise (s.93).
Term
At the President's pleasure; collectively and individually accountable to Parliament (s.92)
Powers
Implements national legislation, develops and implements national policy, prepares and initiates legislation (s.85(2)).
Since June 2024 a ten-party Government of National Unity governs under a statement of intent, decided by 'sufficient consensus' (parties representing 60% of the Assembly's seats).
The National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (s.42)
Chosen
See each house
Term
Five years for the Assembly; NCOP delegations change with provincial legislatures
Powers
National legislative authority (s.43–44): may amend the Constitution and pass legislation on any matter, within limits on provincial matters (s.44(2)).
Scrutinises and oversees executive action (s.42(3)).
400 members (the Constitution allows 350–400, s.46(1))
Chosen
Closed-list proportional representation on the national common voters roll, minimum voting age 18 (s.46). Since the Electoral Amendment Act 1 of 2023: 200 regional seats (party lists and independent candidates in nine provincial regions) and 200 compensatory seats from national party lists, on a three-ballot system.
Term
Five years from the election (s.49); may be dissolved early by majority vote after three years (s.50).
Powers
Elects the President (s.86); passes bills, money bills, and constitutional amendments; can remove the President (s.89) or pass no confidence (s.102).
Recommends Chapter 9 office-holders for appointment (s.193).
90 delegates: a delegation of ten from each of the nine provinces — six permanent and four special delegates, among them the Premier (or a member designated by the Premier), who heads the delegation (s.60). SALGA's ten part-time representatives take part without a vote (s.67).
Chosen
Permanent delegates are nominated by the parties in each provincial legislature in proportion to their seats there (s.61); special delegates are members of the legislature, designated per sitting.
Term
Permanent delegates for the term of the provincial legislature
Powers
Represents the provinces: on bills affecting provinces (s.76) each delegation casts one vote on its legislature's mandate (s.65).
Approves provincial interventions in municipalities (s.139) and national interventions in provinces (s.100).
Holder
RM Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane (ANC), since 15 June 2024
Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, the High Court of South Africa (divisions), Magistrates' Courts and specialist courts (s.166), including the Electoral Court
Chosen
Judges are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (s.174).
Term
Judges serve until discharged under the Judges' Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act; Constitutional Court justices for a non-renewable 12 years or to age 70 (s.176(1)).
Powers
Judicial authority is vested in the courts, independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law (s.165).
11 judges: the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice and nine other judges (s.167(1))
Chosen
The President appoints the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice after consulting the JSC and the leaders of parties in the Assembly; other justices from a JSC list of three more nominees than there are vacancies, after consulting the Chief Justice and party leaders (s.174(3)–(4)).
Term
Non-renewable 12 years, or until 70 (s.176(1))
Powers
Highest court in all matters (s.167(3), since the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Act 2012).
Decides whether Parliament or the President has failed a constitutional obligation, and certifies provincial constitutions (s.167(4)).
23 members, among them the Chief Justice (presiding), the SCA President, a Judge President, the justice minister, lawyers, a law teacher, six members of the National Assembly (at least three from opposition parties), four NCOP delegates and four people designated by the President (s.178(1))
Chosen
Ex officio, nominated by the professions and Parliament, and designated by the President
Term
As set for each category
Powers
Interviews and advises on the appointment of judges; handles complaints about judges (s.178(4)–(5)).
Institutions supporting constitutional democracy (Chapter 9) and the Public Service Commission (Chapter 10)
Who
Six Chapter 9 bodies (s.181(1)), plus the Public Service Commission (s.196)
Chosen
Public Protector and Auditor-General: recommended by 60% of the Assembly; commissioners by a majority; all appointed by the President (s.193). Removal needs a finding of misconduct, incapacity or incompetence and a two-thirds vote for the Public Protector and Auditor-General (s.194).
Term
Public Protector seven years, non-renewable (s.183); Auditor-General five to ten years, non-renewable (s.189); commissioners as legislation sets (IEC seven years)
Powers
Independent, subject only to the Constitution and the law; report to the National Assembly at least once a year (s.181).
Recommended by at least 60% of the Assembly, appointed by the President (s.193(5)(b)(i))
Term
Seven years, non-renewable (s.183)
Powers
Investigates conduct in state affairs or public administration alleged to be improper, reports and takes remedial action (s.182) — binding unless set aside by a court (EFF v Speaker, 2016).
Recommended by at least 60% of the Assembly, appointed by the President
Term
Fixed, non-renewable term of five to ten years (s.189)
Powers
Audits and reports on the accounts of all national and provincial departments and municipalities (s.188); since 2019 may issue binding remedial action and certificates of debt (Public Audit Amendment Act 5 of 2018).
Five commissioners, one of them a judge (Electoral Commission Act 51 of 1996 s.6); a Chief Electoral Officer heads the administration
Chosen
A panel chaired by the Chief Justice (with the Public Protector and the heads of the SAHRC and CGE) nominates at least eight candidates; the Assembly recommends by majority; the President appoints and designates the chair (s.6, s.8).
Term
Seven years, renewable once
Powers
Manages national, provincial and municipal elections; compiles the voters roll; registers parties; declares results within seven days (s.190; Electoral Commission Act s.5).
Administers party funding: the Represented Political Party Fund, the Multi-Party Democracy Fund and donation disclosures (Political Party Funding Act 6 of 2018).
In each province: a legislature, a Premier and an Executive Council
Chosen
Voters elect the legislature by list PR on the same day as the National Assembly; the legislature elects the Premier.
Term
Five years (s.108)
Powers
Legislates on Schedule 4 (concurrent: education below tertiary, health, housing, police and others) and Schedule 5 (exclusive: provincial roads, liquor licences, abattoirs …) matters (s.104).
May adopt its own constitution, certified by the Constitutional Court (ss.142–144). Only the Western Cape has one (1998); KwaZulu-Natal's 1996 text was refused certification.
Supervises municipalities; may intervene under s.139.
30 to 80 members by population (s.105(2)); 487 in all from 2024: Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal 80, Eastern Cape 72, Limpopo 64, Mpumalanga 51, Western Cape 42, North West 38, Free State 30, Northern Cape 30
Chosen
List PR on the province's segment of the common voters roll; independent candidates may stand (Electoral Amendment Act 2023)
Term
Five years
Powers
Elects the Premier; passes provincial laws; nominates the province's NCOP permanent delegates.
The Premier is elected by the legislature from among its members, a judge presiding (s.128); the Premier appoints and dismisses MECs from the legislature (s.132).
Term
The Premier at most two terms (s.130(2))
Powers
Implements provincial and (where assigned) national legislation in the province (s.125); heads the province's NCOP delegation (s.60(3)).
8 metropolitan (category A), 205 local (category B) and 44 district (category C) municipalities, covering the whole territory (s.151(1), s.155); 4,488 wards for the 2026 elections
Chosen
Councils elected by a mixed system: in metros and ward-based local councils half the councillors are elected in single-member wards by first past the post, half from party lists so that the whole council is proportional (Municipal Structures Act, Schedule 1); district councils 40% elected by PR district-wide, 60% appointed by the local councils in the district.
Term
Up to five years (s.159(1)); elections within 90 days of the term's end (s.159(2))
Powers
Executive and legislative authority vested in the municipal council (s.151(2)); Schedule 4B and 5B matters: electricity and gas reticulation, water and sanitation, municipal roads, refuse, local planning, municipal transport and more (s.156).
Levies property rates and surcharges on fees (s.229).
The type of executive is set by provincial law for each municipality: an executive mayor with a mayoral committee, a collective executive committee, or a plenary council
Chosen
Elected by the council from among its councillors (Municipal Structures Act ss.43, 55); the council also elects a Speaker. Coalition councils frequently remove mayors by motions of no confidence.
Term
The council's term, unless removed
Powers
Executive functions delegated by the council; the municipal manager, appointed by the council, heads the administration (Municipal Systems Act s.55).
The provincial executive, when a municipality cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation
Chosen
Decided by the provincial executive, notified to the NCOP and the national minister
Term
Until the obligation is met; dissolution of a council leads to new elections within 90 days
Powers
May issue directives, assume responsibility for the obligation, or dissolve the council and appoint an administrator (s.139(1)); mandatory in a financial crisis (s.139(5)).
The National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders and the provincial houses; kings and queens, senior traditional leaders, headmen and headwomen, and Khoi-San leaders
Chosen
Leaders are recognised under customary law and the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019 (in force 1 April 2021); members of the National House are elected by the provincial houses
Term
Five years for the houses
Powers
The Constitution recognises traditional leadership under customary law (s.211–212); the houses advise on customary law and legislation affecting traditional communities.
No legislative power; councils of traditional communities may take part in municipal councils without a vote (Municipal Structures Act s.81).
Without JavaScript every body is listed in turn. Section numbers: the Constitution as amended (Department of Justice consolidated text).
Chapter 5 · ss.83–102
A President elected by the Assembly.
There is no presidential ballot. At its first sitting after an election the National Assembly elects one of its members as President, with the Chief Justice presiding (s.86); the winner ceases to be a member of the Assembly (s.87). The President is head of state and head of the national executive (s.83) and may serve at most two terms (s.88(2)).
The Assembly can end a presidency two ways. A motion of no confidence passed by a majority of its members (201) forces the President, and with them the whole Cabinet, to resign (s.102(2)); against ministers alone it makes the President reconstitute the Cabinet (s.102(1)). Removal under s.89 needs two-thirds (267) and a serious violation of the Constitution or the law, serious misconduct or inability; a President removed for a violation or misconduct loses the benefits of the office and may not serve in any public office again (s.89(2)).
No President has been removed by either route. Jacob Zuma survived several no-confidence motions; the last, on 8 August 2017 and the first by secret ballot, failed by 177 votes to 198 with nine abstentions. Thabo Mbeki (2008) and Zuma (2018) resigned when the ANC recalled them. On 13 December 2022 the Assembly voted not to adopt the report of a section 89 panel on Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm; on 8 May 2026 the Constitutional Court set that vote aside, and an impeachment committee was formed. On 24 July 2026 the Western Cape High Court stayed its hearings pending Ramaphosa's review of the panel report (press reports; the outcome of that review was not verified here).
PresidentCyril RamaphosaANC · since 15 February 2018Elected by the National Assembly from among its members on 14 June 2024 for a second full term (Constitution s.86); a president may serve no more than two terms (s.88(2)). He ceased to be an MP on election (s.87).
Deputy PresidentPaul MashatileANC · since 7 March 2023Appointed by the President from among the members of the National Assembly (s.91(3)(a)); reappointed in the GNU cabinet sworn in on 3 July 2024.
The national executive · 5 November 2026
Ten parties, one Cabinet.
After the ANC fell to 159 of 400 seats in May 2024, ten parties signed a statement of intent for a Government of National Unity, together holding 287 seats. The President appoints ministers from the Assembly, and at most two from outside it (s.91(3)). The GNU's statement of intent provides for decisions by “sufficient consensus”: parties holding 60% of the Assembly's seats.
ANC 20DA 6IFP 2VF+ 1PAC 1PA 1GOOD 1
32 ministers by party, as listed below; the President and Deputy President (both ANC) are not counted. GNU parties: ANC, DA, IFP, PA, VF+, GOOD, PAC, UDM, Rise, Al Jama-ah.
AgricultureWillie AucampDA · since 1 July 2026
Basic EducationSiviwe GwarubeDA
Communications and Digital TechnologiesSolly MalatsiDA
Cooperative Governance and Traditional AffairsVelenkosini HlabisaIFPOversees municipalities and the houses of traditional leaders.
Correctional ServicesPieter GroenewaldVF+
Defence and Military VeteransAngie MotshekgaANC
Electricity and EnergyKgosientso RamokgopaANC
NM
Employment and LabourNomakhosazana MethANC
EG
FinanceEnoch GodongwanaANC
Forestry, Fisheries and the EnvironmentDavid MaynierDA · since 1 July 2026
AM
HealthAaron MotsoalediANC
Higher EducationButi ManamelaANC
Home AffairsLeon SchreiberDA
TS
Human SettlementsThembisile SimelaneANC
International Relations and CooperationRonald LamolaANC
Justice and Constitutional DevelopmentMmamoloko KubayiANC
MN
Land Reform and Rural DevelopmentMzwanele NyhontsoPAC
Mineral and Petroleum ResourcesGwede MantasheANC
Planning, Monitoring and EvaluationMaropene RamokgopaANC
FC
PoliceFiroz CachaliaANCAppointed from outside the National Assembly (s.91(3)(c)) after Senzo Mchunu was placed on leave of absence in July 2025.
In the PresidencyKhumbudzo NtshavheniANC
Public Service and AdministrationMzamo ButheleziIFP
Public Works and InfrastructureDean MacphersonDA
Science, Technology and InnovationBlade NzimandeANCA South African Communist Party leader, elected on the ANC list.
Small Business DevelopmentStella Ndabeni-AbrahamsANC
Social DevelopmentDina PuleANC · since 1 July 2026Spelled Dinah on the gov.za directory; Dina in the Presidency statement.
Sport, Arts and CultureGayton McKenziePA
TourismPatricia de LilleGOOD
Trade, Industry and CompetitionParks TauANC
TransportBarbara CreecyANC
Water and SanitationPemmy MajodinaANC
Women, Youth and Persons with DisabilitiesSindisiwe ChikungaANC
Deputy ministers · 42
AgricultureRosemary Capa (ANC)
Basic EducationReginah Mhaule (ANC)
Communications and Digital TechnologiesMondli Gungubele (ANC)
Cooperative Governance and Traditional AffairsNamane Dickson Masemola (ANC) · Zolile Burns-Ncamashe (ANC)
Correctional ServicesLindiwe Ntshalintshali (ANC)
Defence and Military VeteransBantu Holomisa (UDM) · Richard Mkhungo
Electricity and EnergyAlexandra Abrahams (DA)
Employment and LabourJomo Sibiya · Judith Nemadzinga
FinanceDavid Masondo (ANC) · Ashor Sarupen (DA)
Forestry, Fisheries and the EnvironmentNarend Singh (IFP) · Bernice Swarts (ANC)
HealthJoe Phaahla (ANC)
Higher EducationNomusa Dube-Ncube (ANC) · Yusuf Cassim (DA)
Home AffairsNjabulo Nzuza (ANC)
Human SettlementsTandi Mahambehlala (ANC)
International Relations and CooperationAlvin Botes (ANC) · Thandi Moraka (ANC)
Justice and Constitutional DevelopmentAndries Nel (ANC)
Land Reform and Rural DevelopmentStanley Mathabatha (ANC)
Planning, Monitoring and EvaluationSeiso Mohai (ANC)
PolicePolly Boshielo (ANC) · Cassel Mathale (ANC)
In the PresidencyNonceba Mhlauli (ANC) · Kenneth Morolong (ANC)
Public Service and AdministrationPinky Kekana (ANC)
Public Works and InfrastructureSihle Zikalala (ANC)
Science, Technology and InnovationNomalungelo Gina (ANC)
Small Business DevelopmentJane Sithole (DA)
Social DevelopmentGanief Hendricks (Al Jama-ah)
Sport, Arts and CulturePeace Mabe (ANC)
TourismMaggie Sotyu (ANC)
Trade, Industry and CompetitionZuko Godlimpi (ANC) · John Steenhuisen (DA)
TransportMkhuleko Hlengwa (IFP)
Water and SanitationDavid Mahlobo (ANC) · Jack Bloom (DA)
Women, Youth and Persons with DisabilitiesSteve Letsike (ANC)
Deputy ministers are outside the Cabinet (s.93). Where a party could not be confirmed it is not shown.
Source: gov.za, Government leaders ↗, read 5 November 2026, and the Presidency's statement of 30 June 2026. gov.za does not list parties; they come from the 2024 party lists and GNU announcements.
Chapter 4 · Parliament
Two houses: the people and the provinces.
National Assembly · 400
Elected for five years by proportional representation: since 2024, 200 regional seats (party lists and independent candidates in nine regions) and 200 compensatory seats from national lists (the seat lab →). The Assembly elects the President, passes laws and the budget, and holds the executive to account (s.55).
ANC 159 · DA 87 · MK 58 · EFF 39 · IFP 17 · PA 9 · 12 more parties · line at 201
National Council of Provinces · 90
Nine delegations of ten (s.60): six permanent delegates, shared among the parties in proportion to their seats in the provincial legislature (s.61 and Schedule 3 Part B), and four special delegates — the Premier or a member the Premier designates, who heads the delegation, and three others from the legislature, chosen per sitting. On bills affecting provinces each delegation casts one vote on its legislature's mandate (s.65).
EC
FS
GP
KZN
LP
MP
NW
NC
WC
Filled: the six permanent delegates by party (Parliament's roster, 54 listed). Rings: the four special delegates; the first, the head of the delegation, in the Premier's party colour. SALGA's ten representatives speak but do not vote (s.67).
How a bill becomes law · ss.73–79
Follow a bill through Parliament.
The Constitution sends each bill down one of several roads. On a section 75 bill the Assembly has the last word; on a section 76 bill the provinces can force mediation and only two-thirds of the Assembly can overrule them; a constitutional amendment needs special majorities in both houses. Choose a bill, then cast the votes.
The simulator needs JavaScript. In short: s.75 bills — Assembly majority, then the NCOP may pass, amend or reject, and the Assembly decides; s.76 bills — five provinces, a Mediation Committee, or two-thirds of the Assembly (267 members); amendments — two-thirds (267) or 75% (300) of the Assembly, and six provinces where they touch the provinces.
Votes are counted as if all 400 members vote, so a simple majority is 201 (the Constitution asks for a majority of the votes cast, with a majority of members present: s.53(1)). Not shown: s.76(2) bills introduced in the NCOP, and the s.76(5) rule for bills under s.42(6). Logic: src/lib/south-africa/government/bill-path.ts.
Chapter 8 · the courts
Eleven seats at the top.
The Constitutional Court is the highest court in all matters since the Seventeenth Amendment (s.167(3)). It alone decides disputes between organs of state in the national or provincial sphere, the constitutionality of bills and amendments, and whether Parliament or the President has failed a constitutional obligation (s.167(4)). It has eleven judges: the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice and nine others, appointed for a non-renewable twelve years or until 70 (s.176(1)).
The President appoints the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice after consulting the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of the parties in the Assembly, and the other justices from a JSC list with three names more than the vacancies (s.174(3)–(4)). The JSC — 23 members, among them six MPs (at least three from the opposition), four NCOP delegates, lawyers and four presidential designees (s.178) — interviews candidates in public and advises on all other judicial appointments. Below the Constitutional Court: the Supreme Court of Appeal, the divisions of the High Court, the Magistrates' Courts and specialist courts, among them the Electoral Court (Electoral Commission Act s.18).
Mandisa MayaChief Justice · 1 September 2024
DM Dunstan MlamboDeputy Chief Justice · 1 August 2025
NM Nonkosi MhlantlaJustice · 1 December 2015
LT Leona TheronJustice · 1 July 2017
SM Steven MajiedtJustice · 1 October 2019
RM Rammaka MathopoJustice · 1 January 2022
JK Jody KollapenJustice · 1 January 2022
OR Owen RogersJustice · 1 August 2022
ND Nambitha Dambuza-MayosiJustice · 1 May 2026
KS Kate SavageJustice · 1 May 2026
10 permanent justices listed by the Court; the Court has eleven seats. Acting justices in 2026 include Tembeka Ngcukaitobi and four judges listed by surname only (concourt.org.za, acting judges). Dates are appointment to the current post.
Photos: Mandisa Maya
— Davodu, CC BY-SA 4.0 .
Via Wikimedia Commons.
Six bodies, “subject only to the Constitution and the law” (s.181), with the Public Service Commission of Chapter 10 beside them, report to the National Assembly at least once a year. The Assembly recommends their heads — 60% for the Public Protector and Auditor-General, a majority for commissioners — and the President appoints them (s.193). Removing the Public Protector or Auditor-General needs two-thirds (s.194).
Public Protector
KG Kholeka GcalekaPublic Protector · since 1 November 2023
Investigates conduct in state affairs or public administration alleged to be improper, reports and takes remedial action (s.182) — binding unless set aside by a court (EFF v Speaker, 2016).
Seven years, non-renewable (s.183)
South African Human Rights Commission
CN Chris NissenChairperson (gov.za: Andrew Christoffel Nissen)
Promotes and protects human rights, investigates and secures redress (s.184).
Set by the SAHRC Act 40 of 2013
Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities
Head not listed here
Promotes respect for the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities (s.185).
Set by Act 19 of 2002
Commission for Gender Equality
Head not listed here
Promotes respect for, and the protection, development and attainment of, gender equality (s.187).
Set by the CGE Act 39 of 1996
Auditor-General
TM Tsakani MalulekeAuditor-General · since 1 December 2020
Audits and reports on the accounts of all national and provincial departments and municipalities (s.188); since 2019 may issue binding remedial action and certificates of debt (Public Audit Amendment Act 5 of 2018).
Fixed, non-renewable term of five to ten years (s.189)
Electoral Commission (IEC)
MM Mosotho MoepyaChairperson; Sy Mamabolo is Chief Electoral Officer
Manages national, provincial and municipal elections; compiles the voters roll; registers parties; declares results within seven days (s.190; Electoral Commission Act s.5).
Seven years, renewable once
Public Service Commission (Chapter 10)
Head not listed here
Promotes the values and principles of public administration; investigates and evaluates the public service (s.196(4)).
Five years, renewable once (s.196)
Chapter 6 · the provinces
Nine legislatures, 487 members.
Each legislature has 30 to 80 members by population (s.105), elected on the same day as the Assembly for five years. It elects the Premier from among its members (s.128), who appoints five to ten MECs (s.132). Provinces legislate on Schedule 4 concurrent matters — school education, health, housing, policing, agriculture — and Schedule 5 exclusive ones such as provincial roads and liquor licences. Only the Western Cape has its own provincial constitution (1998).
OM
Eastern CapeOscar MabuyanePremier · ANC
72 seats · ANC 45 · DA 11 · EFF 8 · ANC majority
ML
Free StateMaQueen Letsoha-MathaePremier · ANC
30 seats · ANC 16 · DA 7 · EFF 4 · ANC majority
GautengPanyaza LesufiPremier · ANC
80 seats · ANC 28 · DA 22 · EFF 11 · no majority
KwaZulu-NatalThami NtuliPremier · IFP
80 seats · MK 37 · IFP 15 · ANC 14 · no majority
LimpopoPhophi RamathubaPremier · ANC
64 seats · ANC 48 · EFF 9 · DA 4 · ANC majority
MpumalangaMandla NdlovuPremier · ANC
51 seats · ANC 27 · MK 9 · EFF 7 · ANC majority
LM
North WestLazarus MokgosiPremier · ANC
38 seats · ANC 23 · EFF 7 · DA 5 · ANC majority
Northern CapeZamani SaulPremier · ANC
30 seats · ANC 15 · DA 7 · EFF 4 · no majority
Western CapeAlan WindePremier · DA
42 seats · DA 24 · ANC 8 · PA 3 · DA majority
Photos: Panyaza Lesufi
— Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (Jeon Han), CC BY-SA 2.0 · Thami Ntuli
— US Embassy South Africa, CC BY 2.0 · Phophi Ramathuba
— US Embassy South Africa, CC BY 2.0 · Mandla Ndlovu
— ZS Khumalo, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zamani Saul
— eNCA, CC BY 3.0 · Alan Winde
— Staff photographer for the Democratic Alliance, CC BY-SA 3.0 za .
Via Wikimedia Commons.
Seats: IEC 2024 provincial results (Schedule 1A items 8–12); the line marks half the seats. Premiers: gov.za Government leaders, 5 November 2026. In KwaZulu-Natal the IFP's Thami Ntuli leads a coalition with the ANC, DA and NFP.
Chapter 12 · ss.211–212
Traditional leaders, recognised, not elected.
The National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders and the provincial houses; kings and queens, senior traditional leaders, headmen and headwomen, and Khoi-San leaders. Leaders are recognised under customary law and the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019 (in force 1 April 2021); members of the National House are elected by the provincial houses.
The Constitution recognises traditional leadership under customary law (s.211–212); the houses advise on customary law and legislation affecting traditional communities.
No legislative power; councils of traditional communities may take part in municipal councils without a vote (Municipal Structures Act s.81).
Chapter 7 · local government
257 municipalities, 4 488 wards.
The whole country is covered by municipalities (s.151(1)): 8 metropolitan councils govern the large cities alone; elsewhere 205 local municipalities share powers with 44 district municipalities (s.155). Councils run water, sanitation, electricity reticulation, refuse, municipal roads and planning, and levy property rates (ss.156, 229).
Ward councillors · half
In metros and local municipalities with wards, half the councillors are elected in single-member wards by first past the post; party and independent candidates may stand.
PR councillors · half
The other half come from party lists, allocated so that the whole council — wards and lists together — is proportional to the parties' votes (Municipal Structures Act, Schedule 1). Independents stand only in wards.
Districts · 40/60
District councils: 40% elected by district-wide PR, 60% sent by the local councils in the district.
Mayors · elected by council
Provincial law sets each municipality's executive type. Where there is an executive mayor, the council elects one from among its councillors (Structures Act s.55), with a Speaker; the council appoints the municipal manager. In hung councils, motions of no confidence have often replaced mayors mid-term.
Section 139 · intervention
When a municipality fails an executive obligation the provincial executive may issue directives, take over the function, or dissolve the council and appoint an administrator, with an election within 90 days; it must intervene in a financial crisis (s.139(5)). The NCOP and the national minister are notified.
The eight metro mayors going into the 2026 elections
JohannesburgDada MoreroANC · since 16 August 2024
NM TshwaneNasiphi MoyaActionSA · since 9 October 2024
NX EkurhuleniNkosindiphile XhakazaANC · since 11 April 2024
Cape TownGeordin Hill-LewisDA · since 9 November 2021
CX eThekwiniCyril XabaANC · since 10 July 2024
BL Nelson Mandela BayBabalwa LobisheANC · since 31 October 2024
PF Buffalo CityPrincess FakuANC · since 23 March 2023
GN MangaungGregory NthatisiANC · since 2023
Photos: Geordin Hill-Lewis
— eNCA, CC BY 3.0 . Others public domain.
Via Wikimedia Commons.
Up to five years (s.159(1)); elections within 90 days of the term's end (s.159(2)). The councils elected on 4 November 2026 meet within 14 days of the result being declared (Structures Act s.29(2)) and elect their mayors; counting is under way — live results →
