No developments observed this year.

The Constituent Assembly election took place in April 1994. The National Assembly also worked as a constituent body and drafted a new constitution as provided for in the interim constitution of 1993.

In the CODESA (Convention for a Democratic South Africa) Record of Understanding signed on September 36, 1992, the parties agreed, “that there shall be a separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary with appropriate checks and balances,” which sought to bring reform to the legislative branch of the government.

The Interim Constitution was signed on November 17, 1993. The white-dominated Parliament voted to approve a new democratic constitution on December 22, 1993. The vote tally was 247 to 45.¹ Chapter 4 of the interim constitution dealt with the legislative branch of the government.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa took effect on February 4, 1997, without provisions of sharing executive power as stipulated in the 1993 interim constitution. Nevertheless, the National Assembly elects the President from among its members.

Powersharing provision in the interim constitution (deputy president after security 80 seats and a cabinet position after securing 20 seats) were taken out from the final constitution. Once the National Assembly adopted the final constitution on May 8, 1996, the National Party announced its withdrawal from the Government of National Unity by the end of June 1996.² The Constitutional Court (CC) approved the final constitution on December 4, 1996.