Factsheets
Gauteng Province – A political snapshot
Provincial legislature
- Each of South Africa’s nine provinces is served by a provincial legislature
- The provincial legislature elects the province’s Premier and ten Members of the Executive Council (MECs)
- Provincial legislatures create their own laws, taking into cognizance the unique nature of each province
- The Constitution informs the running and governance of all provinces
- The legislature is an institution entrusted to ensure that government delivers services effectively and responds to the priorities of the people of the province who voted it into power. It is responsible for passing laws, calling on the Premier, the Executive Council and all provincial government departments to be accountable.
Gauteng legislature
Gauteng Province. Photo courtesy conference-facilities.co.za
- The Gauteng Province Legislature is made up of 30 to 80 members who sit at the Johannesburg City Hall
- Those serving the legislature are called Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL)
- The Provincial Parliament is referred to as ‘The House’ and comprises members drawn from South Africa’s various political parties. A democratic election process informs the percentage of party representation
- The term ‘the house is sitting’ describes periods when MPLs are engaging in discussion and debate to pass laws that affect Gauteng
- MPLs are divided into 14 committees representative of all political parties so that bias is minimised
- These committees gather regularly to discuss Bills. They liaise with Provincial Government Departments in terms of groundwork
- Members of the public are encouraged to enter into discussion with the committee and raise concerns that will influence law creation
- By the time the Bill goes before “The House” parties have already decided whether they will support it or not
- At the sitting each member gives an opinion on the Bill, which is passed by majority vote during tabling. Debates are open to the public who may view the proceedings but are not given an opportunity to express their views
- The institution of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature is housed at the Johannesburg City Hall, on the corner of Loveday Street and President Street in central Johannesburg.
Premier: Ms Nomvula Paula Mokonyane
Members of the Executive Council
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development: Ms Nandi Mayathula-Khoza
MEC for Community Safety: Ms Nonhlanhla Mazibuko
MEC for Economic Development and Planning: Ms Qedani Dorothy Mahlangu
MEC for Education: Ms Barbara Creecy
MEC for Finance: Mr Mandla Nkomfe
MEC for Health and Social Development: Ms Ntombi Mekgwe
MEC for Local Government and Housing: Mr Humphrey Memezi
MEC for Infrastructure Development: Mr Bheki Simon Nkosi
MEC for Roads and Public Transport: Mr Ismail Vadi
MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation: Mr Lebogang Maile.
Local Government
- Gauteng is divided into three metropolitan municipalities: City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni
- Each falls under the leadership of a mayor elected by the Gauteng provincial executive committee
- Kgosientso Sputla Ramokgopa is Mayor of Tshwane
- Mondli Gungubele is Mayor of Ekurhuleni
- Amos Masondo is Mayor of Johannesburg
- Each metropolitan municipality manages its own local governance via branches and departments that see to service delivery.