South Africa’s sixth Parliament. This is a list of members of the National Assembly in the 24th Parliament of South Africa.. … To this end, and in giving effect to the need to democratise international decision-making and subjecting the Executive to the same degree of international oversight as is done over domestic matters, the South African Parliament participates in international relations through the traditional oversight approach and through parliamentary diplomacy. The House always has the final authority. The National Assembly contains 400 members, while the National Council of Provinces contains 90 members. The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is one of the organs of the African Union (AU) as set out by the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty).The Parliament is intended as a platform for people from all African states to be involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent. As the representative of the people of South Africa, Parliament realises the importance of processing and/or passing quality legislation aimed at improving the quality of life of the people and involving the public in the processing of legislation. The four special delegates consist of the Premier of the province and three special delegates, assigned by each province from Members of the Provincial Legislature and rotated depending on the subject matter being considered by the NCOP. Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent the people. The opportunity for members’ statements was created mainly to give members a chance to raise constituency issues in the House. In compliance with its constitutional obligations to facilitate public participation in the law-making and other processes, the NCOP has initiated programmes such as its Taking Parliament to the People programme and Provincial Week. Section 43(a) of the Constitution vests the legislative authority of the national sphere of government in Parliament. When deciding on Bills affecting provinces the provincial delegations vote in accordance with the mandate conferred on them by their respective provincial legislatures. MPs are in a powerful position to influence high-level decision-making. 57% of the politicians in South Africa's Parliament are 50 years or older. The NCOP is mandated to represent the provinces to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of Government. In the UK's House of Commons 32% of the seats are held by women, and in Australia women hold 29% of the seats. In addition to these, there are committees which have been established to deal with other matters not related to government departments eg the Rules Committee that deals with the Rules of the NCOP, Programme Committee that deals with the programme of the NCOP and Petitions and Members’ Legislative Proposals Committee that deals with petitions and legislative proposals by permanent delegates. Inkatha Freedom Party on the provincial list for the province of KwaZulu-Natal, Parliament's Policy on Political Party Allowances, Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC), Status on Section 76 Bills Before the NCOP, Office on Institutions Supporting Democracy, presiding over sittings of the House, maintaining order and applying its, acting as representative and spokesperson for the Assembly and (with the Chairperson of the Council) for Parliament; and. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Ch. Part of their work as public representatives is done inside Parliament and part of it is done directly with citizens during constituency periods. The National Assembly (NA) appoints from among its members a number of Portfolio Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments. There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding government department. As the people’s representatives, members of the committees determine whether government departments are delivering on what they promised and whether they are spending the public money they receive in a responsible manner. To this end, it places an obligation on the NA to provide for mechanisms to ensure that all Executive organs of state in the national sphere of government are accountable to it and to maintain oversight of the exercise of national executive authority, including the  implementation of legislation. The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) appoints from its permanent members a number of Select Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments and to deal with Bills. MPs are expected to register in Parliament their financial interests and those of their spouses, dependants and permanent companions every year. Xiaomei Havard, a Chinese-born South African businesswoman and politician from Gauteng, has emerged as a member of parliament for the African National Congress (ANC).. In addition to dealing with government business, usually bills initiated by the executive, individual members (sometimes called “private members”) have several ways of bringing matters to the attention of the House. This confers on the NA the power to consider, pass, amend or reject any legislation before the Assembly and to initiate or prepare legislation, except money Bills. South Africa ranks among the top few countries in which women make up a significant portion of the national parliament. Parliamentis the legislative authority of South Africa and has the power to make laws for the country, in accordance with the Constitution. 1910 to 1961. Parliament is the legislative authority of South Africa and has the power to make laws for the country, in accordance with the Constitution. The Chief Whip of the Majority Party, by virtue of his or her party being the majority party, also has certain duties in relation to proceedings of the House. The National Assembly, which is elected for a term of five years, is presided over by the Speaker, assisted by the Deputy Speaker. This includes the appointment and dismissal of office bearers of the Institutions Supporting Democracy, various Commissions, Boards and Councils. Much of the Assembly’s work is therefore done in committees, but the final decisions on all matters are taken by the House. They are selected by each province from Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) and are rotated depending on the subject matter being considered by the NCOP. Committees are established in accordance with the portfolios of government ie each government department has a committee that oversees it. The answers to questions for oral and written reply are published in Hansard, the official record of the debates in Parliament. The NCOP consists of 90 provincial delegates, ie 10 delegates for each of the nine provinces. The commitees oversee the work of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation by monitoring its budget, holding hearings on pertinent international relations matters and engaging in site visits, amongst others. A Cabinet member may make a factual or policy statement relating to government policy, any executive action or similar matter of which the Assembly should be informed.