South Africa - Government
Based on the etymolgy of South Africa, it was self-descriptive name from the country's location on the continent; "Africa" is derived from the Roman designation of the area corresponding to present-day Tunisia "Africa terra," which meant "Land of the Afri" (the tribe resident in that area), but which eventually came to mean the entire continent. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape
National symbols

Springbok (antelope), king protea flower.

The flag
The National flag of South Africa has .
The National Anthem
Title
Lyric/music
More about the government of South Africa
Date of Independence 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 22 August 1934 (Status of the Union Act); 31 May 1961 (republic declared); 27 April 1994 (majority rule)
National holiday Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)
Legal system mixed system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and customary law
International law organization participation has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitution
History Several previous; latest drafted 8 May 1996, approved by the Constitutional Court 4 December 1996, effective 4 February 1997
Amendment process Proposed by the National Assembly of Parliament; passage of amendments affecting constitutional sections on human rights and freedoms, non-racism and non-sexism, supremacy of the constitution, suffrage, the multi-party system of democratic government, and amendment procedures requires at least 75% majority vote of the Assembly, approval by at least six of the nine provinces represented in the National Council of Provinces, and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting the Bill of Rights, and those related to provincial boundaries, powers, and authorities requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, approval by at least six of the nine provinces represented in the National Council, and assent of the president
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth no
Citizenship by descent only at least one parent must be a citizen of South Africa
Dual citizenship recognized yes, but requires prior permission of the government
Residency requirement for naturalization 5 year
Executive Branch
Chief of state President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 19 June 2024)
Head of government President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 19 June 2024)
Cabinet Cabinet appointed by the president
Election/appointment process president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
Most recent election date 29 May 2024
Election results
2024: Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (ANC) elected president by the National Assembly unopposed

2019: Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (ANC) elected president by the National Assembly unopposed
Expected date of next election May 2029
Legislative branch
Legislature name Parliament
Legislative structure Bicameral
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Supreme Court of Appeals (consists of the court president, deputy president, and 21 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 9 judges)
Judge selection and term of office Supreme Court of Appeals president and vice president appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), a 23-member body chaired by the chief justice; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the national president on the advice of the JSC and hold office until discharged from active service by an Act of Parliament; Constitutional Court chief and deputy chief justices appointed by the president of South Africa after consultation with the JSC and with heads of the National Assembly; other Constitutional Court judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the chief justice and leaders of the National Assembly; Constitutional Court judges serve 12-year nonrenewable terms or until age 70
Subordinate courts High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; labor courts; land claims courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Ismail ESAU (since 17 March 2025)
Chancery 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone [1] (240) 937-5760
FAX [1] (202) 265-1607
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://www.saembassy.org/
Consulate(s) general Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires David J. GREENE (since March 2025)
Embassy 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
Mailing address 9300 Pretoria Place, Washington DC  20521-9300
Telephone [27] (12) 431-4000
FAX [27] (12) 342-2299
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://za.usembassy.gov/
Consulate(s) general Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites 12 (7 cultural, 4 natural, 1 mixed)
Selected World Heritage Site locales Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (c); iSimangaliso Wetland Park (n); Robben Island (c); Maloti-Drakensberg Park (m); Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (c); Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (n); Vredefort Dome (n); Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (c); Khomani Cultural Landscape (c); Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (n); Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites (c); The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa (c)
Key Political parties and their leaders in South Africa
    • International organization participation
  • ACP
  • AfDB
  • AIIB
  • AU
  • BIS
  • BRICS
  • C
  • CD
  • FAO
  • FATF
  • G-20
  • G-24
  • G-5
  • G-77
  • IAEA
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICC (national committees)
  • ICCt
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • IHO
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • IMO
  • IMSO
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • IOM
  • IPU
  • ISO
  • ITSO
  • ITU
  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • MIGA
  • MONUSCO
  • NAM
  • NSG
  • OECD (enhanced engagement)
  • OPCW
  • Paris Club (associate)
  • PCA
  • SACU
  • SADC
  • UN
  • UNAMID
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNHCR
  • UNIDO
  • UNISFA
  • UNITAR
  • UNOOSA
  • UNWTO
  • UPU
  • Wassenaar Arrangement
  • WCO
  • WFTU (NGOs)
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WTO
  • ZC
    • All Important Facts about South Africa

    Want to know more about South Africa? Check all different factbooks for South Africa below.

    South Africa is found in Southern Africa