MPs have freedom of speech in Parliament, as long as they keep within the parliamentary rules. They cannot be prosecuted, arrested, imprisoned or be expected to pay damages for anything they say, produce or submit in Parliament or its committees.
Although ordinary citizens may not submit bills to Parliament, they may lobby MPs or committees to introduce legislation that deals with their concerns.
Parliament and its committees have the right to ask any institution or person to report to them and may summons any person to appear before them.
The copy of an Act of Parliament signed by the President is the official version of that Act and is given to the Constitutional Court for safekeeping.
Because the members of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) deal with classified or top secret information, it is the only committee that has meetings that are usually closed to the public. The members of the JSCI have to get security clearance from the National Intelligence Agency before they can serve on that committee.
A joint committee of Parliament receives submissions on constitutional matters and has to review the Constitution at least once a year.
Political parties represented in Parliament are entitled to an amount of public money for their political activities. The parties receive the money in proportion to the number of seats they hold.
The Constitution says a parliamentary committee meeting may not be closed to the public “unless it is reasonable and justifiable to do so in an open and democratic society”.
It takes 14 months to prepare the annual Budget for its introduction in the National Assembly.
The President may attend meetings of the National Assembly and may speak in the Assembly, but he or she does not have a vote.
Bills can only be introduced in Parliament by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, parliamentary committees and individual MPs.
The President is not a member of Parliament. After an MP is elected as President, he or she loses the seat and the vacancy is filled by the next eligible person from the same party.
The word “Parliament” comes from the French word “parler” which means “to speak”.
Committees have the power to summons any person to appear before them to give evidence or produce documents. They may ask any person or institution to report to them and may receive petitions, representations or submissions from the public. They play a crucial role in the law-making process.
Anybody over the age of 18 can participate indirectly in Parliament simply by voting in the elections.
The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of expression, as long as this freedom is not used as propaganda for war, incitement to violence or the advocacy of hatred based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion.
The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions as long as this is done in a peaceful way and the protesters are unarmed.
Democracy is not an event that occurred in 1994. It is a process to which all of us can contribute by making our voices heard in Parliament, in the provincial legislatures and in broader society.
The annual Budget determines how much money government departments will receive and has to be approved by Parliament.
The room in which a House meets to debate is called a “Chamber”.
South Africa's Parliament is one of the few in the world where an imbongi, a traditional praise singer, announces the President's entrance. This custom blends African oral traditions with the formal proceedings of Parliament, honouring the President's lineage and leadership.
The design of the Mace and Black Rod incorporates symbols of South Africa's rich mineral wealth and cultural heritage.
The Black Rod used in the National Council of Provinces rests in a drum, representing African traditions where drums are used to call people to gather and discuss important matters.
The Black Rod is topped with a protea, South Africa's national flower, symbolizing unity and pride. It reflects the role of provinces in the National Council of Provinces and the nation's diverse cultural identity.
The Mace used in the National Assembly is designed to look like a knobkerrie, a traditional African weapon symbolizing authority and leadership. Its design celebrates South Africa's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and historical traditions.
The drum, which forms the head of the Mace, representing African traditions where drums are used to call people to gather and discuss important matters.
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