Introduction
Parliament has two houses, the National Assembly and the National
Council of Provinces.
The Constitution says that the National Assembly must have no more
than 400 and no fewer than 350 members.
Members are elected to the National Assembly through a system of
proportional representation. This means that, before an election, each party
draws up a list of candidates in order of preference. The candidates are
elected in proportion to the number of votes the party wins in the elections.
For example, if a party wins half the votes, it will hold half the seats in
the National Assembly.
Members of the National Assembly have a duty to protect the rights and
interests of the public.
What is the National Assembly?
The National Assembly (together with the NCOP) makes the laws that
govern our lives. It debates all the bills (draft bills) that Ministers bring
to Parliament and can approve, reject or change them. It must also consult
the public.
The President and his Ministers. are accountable to Parliament. The
National Assembly is the place where Ministers must report on the work they
do and answer questions about this work.
Who’s
who in the National Assembly
The National Assembly elects a speaker
to run its affairs. The Speaker is Dr Frene Ginwala. She is assisted by the
Deputy-Speaker, Ms Baleka Mbete.
Each Political party in the National Assembly elects a Chief Whip to run its affairs.
The Chief Whip of the Majority Party is the most influential.
Cabinet appoints a Leader of Government Business who works
with the Presiding Officers and the Whips of both Houses. This person is
responsible for looking after the interests of the Cabinet and government
business in Parliament.
The above-mentioned persons work together to decide
Parliaments Programme.
How the
National Assembly Works
The Portfolio Committees
The National Assembly has a
Portfolio Committee for each department. For example, the Portfolio Committee
on Agriculture and Land Affairs deals with all matters related to the
Ministry and the Department, and must therefore check their work.
The Portfolio Committee mostly
deals Bills, they discuss and make changes to bills. Portfolio Committees are
open to the public, and may ask for public comment on bills. The public has
the right to make a presentation at a committee meeting.
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The National Assembly
Once the Portfolio Committee
has agreed to has agreed to the Bill it will be debated in a full sitting of the
National Assembly. It is here that all political parties indicate whether
support or oppose the bill. Whereupon they vote for or against the Bill.
The Bill, once it is passed, is
referred to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The NCOP may makes or
propose changes, depending on what interests the Bill has on the provinces.
The Bill is then referred to
the President for his signature. It then becomes law.
Question Time
Question time gives Members of Parliament the
opportunity of asking Ministers questions, related to the line functions of
the Departments. This is an important section of the Parliamentary work, as
it gives Members the opportunity of holding the executive accountable.
The Budget
Parliament must, every year approve the budget, which
sets out what the President and Ministers want to spend during the specific
financial year.
Each Minister must present the
budget for his\her department, as well as explain spent the previous budget
allocation.
Snap,
Debates, Motions and Resolutions
Snaps debates are held on political issues such as
crime, Commission report, or any matter that may be making news headlines.
A party wishing to have a snap
debate, must submit such a request to the Speaker.
A Member of Parliament or Political
party can introduce a motion (subject) for debate in the National Assembly.
The National Assembly can be asked to take a decision on such a motion. If
adopted, is referred to as a resolution.
Private
Members Bill and Committee Bills
Most Bills are tabled by Ministers. Members of
Parliament or Committees can also introduce Bills in the National Assembly.
Parliament and You
The Constitution says that there must be public access
and involvement in Parliament. This means that you have a right to attend
committee meetings and the sittings of Parliament.
It also means you have the
right to contact any MP to inform tem of your views. When Parliament passes a
Law, it has a duty to take into account public opinion.
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