South Africa's National Assembly

Opposition parties welcome Zuma

Opposition parties have welcomed the election of Jacob Zuma as President, saying they were hopeful that he would bring about change and speed up service delivery to millions of poor South Africans.

Women in Parliament on the rise

Women's representation in the National Assembly has increased to 45%, putting South Africa third in the international women in Parliament rankings.

Sisulu appointed Speaker of Parliament

It was a first on many counts for South Africa's Parliament on Wednesday, particularly when it came to the appointment of the new Speaker of the House, African National Congress stalwart Max Sisulu.

Elections 2009: Thank you, South Africa!

President Kgalema Motlanthe has thanked South Africans for turning out in huge numbers to vote peacefully in the country's fourth general elections, and urged the country to work together so that freedom "becomes our lived reality as a united and prosperous people".

South Africa's election triumph

South Africa and the ruling African National Congress were the big winners in the country's 2009 general elections, which were marred only by a few logistical glitches as voters turned out peacefully, in huge numbers, to return the ANC to Parliament with an overwhelming majority.

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The Constitution of South Africa

Constitution

One of the most progressive in the world, with a Bill of Rights second to none.

South Africa's judiciary

Judiciary

An independent judiciary subject only to the Constitution and the law.

Political parties in South Africa

Political parties

A vibrant multiparty political system, with 16 parties represented in Parliament.

The media in South Africa

The media in SA

A free and flourishing press, liberalised public and commercial radio and TV, vibrant community radio, an expanding internet presence and a resurgent film industry.

Go to the Nelson Mandela page

Nelson Mandela

Find out more about one of the great moral and political leaders of our time.

72 days that shaped South Africa

72 days that shaped South Africa

Just how "miraculous" was our transition to democracy? How close did we really come to civil war? Check out some press clippings of the 72 days leading up to SA's first democratic elections - and see how heavily the odds were stacked against "the rainbow nation".