Religion and the law: Responses to the remarks of the Chief Justice

Delivering a speech at the Second Annual African Law and Religion Conference at Stellenbosch University, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s controversial statements that infusing our laws with religion would lead to a high moral fibre in society, has caused a stir over the past few days.

“I believe that we can ...

Zuma’s new cabinet: Opposition MP weighs in

Much has been said about President Zuma’s newly appointed Cabinet throughout the course of this week, including our interview with political commentator Aubrey Matshiqi and our impressions on the relationship between Cabinet and Parliament (here and here) - but what do opposition party members think?

People’s Assembly interviewed ...

Gender representation in Parliament: Beyond the numbers

As People’s Assembly recently published an infographic on the gender breakdown of seats in both houses of Parliament, we thought we’d go a step further and get some analysis on whether a higher number of women MPs translates into more gender equality in legislation. We caught up with honorary research ...

Deaf ex-MP comments on loss of Disability portfolio

Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen has experienced many firsts: She was South Africa’s first deaf MP as well as being the first woman and the first person from the African continent to fill the role of Vice President at the World Federation of the Deaf. While she is not returning to Parliament this ...

Parliament and Cabinet: Friends, Foes or Frenemies?

In many democratic societies, questions of accountability and efficiency are constantly being raised. As the new government begins its term and members of cabinet are appointed, people may wonder: What is the relationship between Parliament and the Cabinet? Does that relationship benefit or harm my rights? The People’s Assembly is ...

Parliament and Cabinet: Friends, Foes or Frenemies?

In many democratic societies, questions of accountability and efficiency are constantly being raised. As the new government begins its term and members of cabinet are appointed, people may wonder: What is the relationship between Parliament and the Cabinet? Does that relationship benefit or harm my rights? The People’s Assembly is ...

Infographic: A breakdown of Premiers, Speakers and MPLs per province

This is a complete list of the new premiers and speakers for each of the nine provinces. People's Assembly has also provided you with a graph depicting the amount of Members of Provincial Legislature that each province has - the amount ranges from between 30 and 80 depending on the ...

Security and economic clusters important to new cabinet, says analyst

Following Zuma’s new cabinet being sworn in on Monday, People’s Assembly caught up with Aubrey Matshiqi, political analyst and research fellow at the Helen Suzman Foundation, to ask him about the significance of certain changes and appointments.

Matshiqi said that he thought the security cluster and economic cluster were of ...

SA Cabinet and Deputy Ministers: Who are they?

The Presidency

Minister: Mr Jeffrey Thamsanqa Radebe__ Mr Radebe moves from the Justice and Constitutional Development portfolio to Minister in the Presidency. His new ministry merges the functions of planning, monitoring and evaluation and also looks after the youth. Radebe is the longest serving minister and has been a ...

Cabinet changes and their impact on Parliament

President Jacob Zuma announced his Cabinet on Sunday evening, 25 May, and much has been said about the appointments and omissions, and how this would affect the respective ministries. One issue that has been overlooked is what impact the new cabinet will have on Parliament and its committees.

Aside from ...

About Impressions

Not many people know there are fifty committees in Parliament - each assigned to oversee the work of a government department and YOU are welcome to attend. Email us if you would like to sit in on a parliamentary committee meeting. - all you need is an ID or passport to visit Parliament. Contributions about your impressions gladly accepted.

Here are comments from citizens attending parliamentary committee meetings:

About The Week in Parliament

That Week In Parliament

Recent happenings in Parliament