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Government of South Africa

The Government of South Africa operates as a parliamentary republic with three tier levels: national, provincial, and local governments. At the national level, the President of South Africa serves as both the head of state and the head of government. The President, elected by the National Assembly, appoints a Deputy President and Ministers, making up the Cabinet. The central government structure is further divided into three branches: the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature. South Africa has nine provinces, each governed by a Premier overseen by a provincial legislature. The local government is made up of municipalities, which are responsible for local affairs. South Africa's government combines elements of a representative democracy with those of a constitutional republic.