Introduction
In February 1990, the white minority government cancelled the ban on anti-apartheid political organizations and ANC leader Nelson Mandela and other political leaders. There were negotiations to dismantle apartheid then and have political democracy. In 1993, both sides agreed that the government would be one of national unity and minority parties would be represented. Minority parties wouldn’t be able to use the veto power over the decisions of the majority governing party.
Legislature (new parliament)
There is a 400 member National Assembly and a ninety member Senate. The seats in the National Assembly were awarded on the basis of percent of vote received, by political parties in the April 1994 elections. (Four seats for each percent.) The Senate members were elected by provincial assemblies. Each of the nine assemblies chose ten senators. The task of the new parliament is to write and adopt a new constitution. It must have the support of at least 67% of the parliamentarians to take effect. The parliament members hold office until 1999, when the new elections take place under the new constitution.
Executive
Nelson Mandela was the first president of the new parliament. The parties that won eighty or more seats in the election could appoint a deputy president. Thabo Mbeki of the ANC was the first deputy president. The former president, F.W. deKlerk, of the National Party was the second deputy president. The president has the ultimate authority in governing the country, but must consult the deputy presidents before making decisions. The cabinet posts were assigned on the basis of seats held by political parties in parliament. The ANC has eighteen posts, the National party has six posts and the Inkatha Freedom party has three posts.
Local Government
In the nine provincial assemblies, representation is based on the percent of the vote won by political parties in elections. The number of votes cast in each province determined the number of seats in each assembly. The more densely populated provinces have larger assemblies than the provinces with fewer residents. Each province is headed by a premier, who is elected by the assembly. The premier presides over an executive council of ten members. The provincial legislatures have significant powers and responsibilities (including writing of provincial constitutions). They are under the authority of parliament and national constitution.
Judiciary
The judiciary is a new court (Constitutional Court) under the new constitution. The court consists of a president and ten judges. They are selected by cabinet from a list compiled by an independent nominating comission. This court determines the constitutionality of all laws.
Political Parties
The major political parties are:
The ANC is the oldest liberation movement in Africa. They won a clear majority at the first democratic elections in 1994. The party was outlawed from 1960 to February 1990. It grew rapidly after the ban was lifted. It made major gains in attracting non-blacks to it. It counted on the support of the Communist party in the 1994 elections. The National party was the second winner in the elections. It was the ruling party from 1948 to 1994 and responsible for instituting the apartheid system. It tried to portray itself as a party of reform in the 1994 elections. The Inkatha Freedom party threatened to boycott elections, until a week before they were held. They are major opponent of the ANC in Kwa/Zulu Natal.
Defense & Police
The military and police have undergone major restructuring with the dismantling of apartheid. The new National Defense Force consists of the former South African Defense Force, the defense forces of the homelands and the members of the former military formations. The police service is subject to control and direction of the national government.
