South Africa

National Assembly

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
24
(2023)
Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
128
(2024-06)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
0
(2024-06)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
128
(2024-06)
Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature
0%
(2024-06)
Dates of the previous legislature
22 May 2019 to 13 Jun 2024
(2024-06)
Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
Other

Notes:

The draft legislation is referred to a mediation committee for resolution. If the mediation fails, the lower chamber may override the upper with a supporting vote of two thirds majority of the members in favour of the draft legislation.

On draft legislation not affecting provinces, the lower chamber may, after consideration of the amendments of the upper Chamber, pass the draft legislation with an ordinary majority.

Sources: Constitution, art. 75(1c) & art. 76

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State
Yes

Sources: Constitution, art. 79

Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
0
(2023)
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation
Not applicable
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree
Constitutional/Supreme Court

Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation

There is a procedure for introducing emergency legislation into parliament
Yes
Number of times the procedure for emergency legislation was used, per year
0

Historical data for IPU membership

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