Government

Under the constitution of 1996, South Africa is a republic. The parliament, whose members are elected for five-year terms, has two housesthe National Assembly with 400 members and the National Council of Provinces with 90. Members of the National Assembly are popularly elected and members of the National Council of Provinces are elected by the provincial legislatures (10 from each province).

The president (head of state) is elected by the majority party of the National Assembly and is limited to serving two five-year terms. The president appoints a deputy president and a cabinet.

The judicial system is headed by the Constitutional Court, which interprets the constitution, and the Supreme Court, which has authority over the provincial, regional, and appellate divisions. The president appoints members of the Constitutional Court.

Each province has an elected legislature. The executive branch of each province is headed by a premier. The provinces have exclusive responsibility in a few specific areas, such as building and maintaining roads.