Parliamentary Emblem, and Joint Sitting of Parliament	Your Guide to Parliament Your Representative in Parliament Information obtained from brochure issued by: Public Education Office of Parliament (021) 403 8200
Introduction Parliament has two Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. Each has Members of Parliament who represent constituencies (communities). Who are your representatives? Members of Parliament are elected to the National Assembly thorough a system of proportional representation. This means that parties draw up lists of candidates in order of preference, these Members are then appointed to the various legislature according to the number of votes the party receives. These candidates which are placed on the candidates list, come from various communities, which represent your interests. Members of Parliament are directly responsible to you, as you voted for them. National Council of Provinces (NCOP) The NCOP consists of representatives from the nine provinces. Each province has 10 delegates in the NCOP. These delegates are elected by each provincial legislature according to the strength of the parties in that legislature. Members of the provincial delegation in the NCOP are directly accountable to the provincial legislature. They however also have an obligation to take account of national interest. The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is represented in the NCOP What are the responsibilities of your representatives? Passing laws The chief responsibility of members of the NA and the NCOP is to pass laws. Together they form Parliament, which is the legislature or law-making body. When your representatives pass Bills (draft laws), they must make sure that the views of the voters – your views – are taken into account. In the NCOP, they must ensure that the views of the provinces are taken into account. This means they must help to carry out the policies of the party to which they belong – the policies of the party you voted for in the elections. It also means that they must give citizens the opportunity to say what they feel about any Bill (draft law) they are discussing in Parliament Working on Committees Members of Parliament serve on Committees in the National Assembly or National Council of Provinces. Each Member must ensure that his or her constituency and parties’ views are represented at these committees.	Looking after their Constituents Political parties open constituency offices in as many areas as possible, and members regularly visit these offices, where they meet with communities or individuals. If you need the number of a constituency office in your area, you can telephone Parliament at (021) 403 2911 or contact the local political parties office, which you support. Members of Parliament have the responsibility of reporting back to their constituencies, on what happens in Parliament, or what decisions were taken that affect them. Parliament and You There are several ways in which you can play a part in what happens in Parliament and make sure your representatives do the work you have elected them to do. Voting in elections Before an election, each party prepares a manifesto, which tells you what it plans to do if it wins the election. This helps voters decide which party to support. Your vote is a precious thing, by voting you show your responsibility as a citizen and use your right to choose the government. Staying informed You can stay informed about what is happening in Parliament by reading newspapers, watching television, listening to the radio and attending public meetings. This means that, if you have something to say about an important matter that is being discussed in Parliament, you can contact your representative and tell them your views. By staying informed and listening to the voices, policies and opinions of all political parties in Parliament, you can decide who you the voter will support in the next election. Visit your constituency office The third way you can stay in touch is by visiting a constituency office in your area. You may need help or assistance, and the constituency offices could help in this regard. You may however also be able to assist others at the office. Working in an election is an excellent way of learning how a democracy works and making sure your voice is heard. The word “Parliament” means to “speak”, it is therefore important to make sure your voice is heard. It is your responsibility to get involved in the activities of Parliament, especially through your representative.	.