South Africa

National Assembly National Council of Provinces

National Assembly

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes
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Data on women

Information on the current and historical representation of women in the parliament. Consult the 'Elections' tab to see how women have fared in elections or renewals.

Current representation

Women's representation in the current parliament or chamber

Current number of members
393
Women
177
Percentage of women
45.0%

Speaker

Speaker
Angela Thokozile Didiza (Female)
Date of birth: 02 Jun 1965
Additional information

Elected on 14 June 2024.

Secretary general

No information available

Chairs of specialized bodies

Specialized body Theme Name Sex Age
Subcommittee on Women, Youth Development and Persons with Disabilities (under Select Committee on Health and Social Services) Gender equality, Human rights Claudia Nonhlanhla Ndaba Female 55
Committee on Multi-Party Women’s Caucus Gender equality Female -
Foreign Affairs Committee Foreign affairs Tandi Mahambehlala Female 50

Data on age at the start of the legislature

Number of members, by age (2019-05)
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 10 33 19 20 68 31 3 0 1 185
Female 0 6 33 19 22 55 18 2 0 0 155
Totals per age interval 0 16 66 38 42 123 49 5 0 1 340
Total <= 45: 120 Total >= 46: 220
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger
4.7% 2.9% 1.8%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger
24.1% 13% 11.5%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger
35.3% 18% 17.1%
Members for whom age data is not available
60
(2019-05)

Reserved seats and quotas

There are reserved seats in parliament for certain groups
No
Electoral quota for women
Yes

Notes: Political party quota - 'the provision of a quota of not less than fifty percent of women in all elected structures.

Sources: ANC Constitution, Article 6(1)

First woman in parliament

Year of first woman in parliament
1933

Notes: 1933: This is before suffrage was granted to non-whites

First woman speaker

Year of first woman speaker
1994

Women’s suffrage

Women’s right to vote
1930
Restricted or universal suffrage
Restricted
Detail of restrictions
White women only
Women’s right to vote
1984
Restricted or universal suffrage
Restricted
Detail of restrictions
Colored and South Africans accorded the right to vote but only for their respective Houses in the tri-cameral parliament
Women’s right to vote
1994
Restricted or universal suffrage
Universal

Notes: The right of all South Africans to vote is enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the constitution since 1996 but men and women had exercised this right since 1994.

Women's right to stand for election
1930
Restricted or universal
Restricted
Detail of restrictions
White women only
Women's right to stand for election
1984
Restricted or universal
Restricted
Detail of restrictions
Colored and South Africans accorded the right to vote but only for their respective Houses in the tri-cameral parliament
Women's right to stand for election
1994
Restricted or universal
Universal

Notes: The right of all South Africans to vote is enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the constitution since 1996 but men and women had exercised this right since 1994.

Women's caucus

Women's caucuses or parliamentary groups that bring together women parliamentarians to strengthen cooperation and amplify their voices. For other parliamentary bodies or committees that have a specific mandate to address gender equality matters, see the ‘Specialized body – Gender equality’ tab.

Historical data for IPU membership

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Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No