Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Provincial legislature in Cape Town, South Africa
The Western Cape Provincial Parliament is the unicameral legislature of the Western Cape province, seated at 7 Wale Street in Cape Town. It consists of 42 members elected by closed-list proportional representation, who elect the Premier from among themselves and pass laws on health, education, agriculture, transport and land-use planning.
This body was established in 1994 when South Africa began its transition to democracy and created new provincial governments. It marked the start of a system where regional matters would be guided by elected representatives rather than centralized control.
The Western Cape is the only South African province whose legislature is called a "Provincial Parliament" and whose members are styled Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs); elsewhere the terms are "Provincial Legislature" and "MPL". The Seventh Provincial Parliament was elected on 29 May 2024, with the Democratic Alliance holding a majority of the 42 seats.
The building is located in central Cape Town and is easily accessible by public transport. Visitors should check ahead to see if tours or public galleries are available, as opening hours can vary depending on parliamentary sessions.
The Western Cape is the only South African province whose legislature is called a "Provincial Parliament" and whose members are styled MPPs, Members of Provincial Parliament; elsewhere the bodies are Provincial Legislatures with MPLs. The naming is set out in Chapter 3 of the Constitution of the Western Cape.
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