South Africa Politics

South Africa is a republic in which the presidency sits at the center of national executive authority. Cyril Ramaphosa serves as President of South Africa, combining the roles of head of state and head of government under the country's constitutional framework.

Cyril Ramaphosa
President of South Africa
Head of State and Government
In office since 15 February 2018

Photo: Lula Oficial, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

South Africa is a parliamentary republic with a strong executive presidency selected through the National Assembly rather than by a separate nationwide presidential vote. The president is both head of state and head of government, appoints the cabinet, and remains politically dependent on the parliamentary majority under the constitutional system.

Legislative authority is exercised through a bicameral national parliament. The two chambers share responsibility for passing laws and approving public finances, with their precise powers and methods of selection defined by the constitution. Parliamentary committees and plenary sessions provide formal mechanisms for scrutiny, while the courts are institutionally separate and may review government action as permitted by law.

South Africa is a unitary state, meaning sovereign authority is principally vested in national institutions, although local and regional governments exercise powers assigned by law. The constitution defines the relationship among the executive, legislature, judiciary, and subnational administration. Political authority is exercised through the constitutional institutions described above, with elections, parliamentary confidence, or other constitutional procedures determining who holds office.