If you’re doing business in South Africa, you need to know how many parliament members there are. After all, this country is known for its large number of political parties. The number of parliamentarians in South Africa has increased over the years, and as of 2019, there are 400 members.
How many seats does each party get in Parliament?
What are the two main types of political parties in South Africa?
While the number of parliamentarians in South Africa may be confusing, the political party system is relatively straightforward. The two main parties are the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The ANC is the ruling party, and has been since the end of apartheid in 1994. The party is widely considered to be left-wing, and its policies reflect this. For example, the ANC has pushed for redistribution of wealth, affirmative action, and higher taxes on the wealthy.
The DA, on the other hand, is considered to be right-wing. The party is strongly opposed to affirmative action and has been critical of the ANC’s handling of the economy.
Are there smaller political parties in South Africa?
While the ANC and DA are the two main parties, there are a number of smaller parties that make up the rest of parliament. These include the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and the United Democratic Front (UDF).