The Constitution

• Since the 1999 general election, President Thabo Mbeki (representing the African National Congress) heads the Government of National Unity (GNU).
• The GNU consists of a multiparty cabinet. Government consists of national, provincial and local government levels.
• Parliament comprises a 400-seat National Assembly and a 90-seat National Council of Provinces.
• Since the first democratic elections in 1994, South Africa has rewritten its constitution. A new democratic Constitution governs South Africa. It bans racism and guarantees individual rights.
• South Africa is one of the few countries, which now, through a single entrenched law, theoretically protects all universally accepted fundamental rights against Government interference and individual abuse.

Official Name: Republic of South Africa
Form of State: A federal State
Government leader (1999): Thabo Mbeki - President
Legislature: Parliament
Political subdivisions: 9 provinces

Visit www.gov.za for more information on the SA Government