1996 Constitution

• South Africa's Constitution, developed by the 1994 Parliament and Constitutional Court was signed into law by President Nelson Mandela on 10 December 1996 at Sharpville, Vereeniging
• The legislature (Parliament): Comprises of 2 houses; National Assembly and National Council of Provinces (members elected)
• Provides a legal foundation for republic, defines citizens' rights and duties and government structure; includes a democratic principle of separation of powers between three different but interdependent components or arms
• Government; President: Head of State and national executive, exercises authority with Cabinet members (namely the Deputy President and Ministers) and accounts for actions and policies to Parliament
• Judiciary: Comprises Constitutional, Supreme, High, Magistrates' Courts (etc) and ensures independence and impartiality
• Bill of Rights: Prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic/social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, and birth
• Fully democratic, supposed to decrease discrimination (bill of rights, and impartial judiciary) - power is shared between multiple parties (more representative)