Provincial Parliament of the Western Cape: Overview

The Provincial Parliament of the Western Cape:

• Makes laws specific to the Western Cape.
• Is a public forum for debate.
• Plays an important role in overseeing the Provincial Government and holding the Government accountable.
• Contributes to national issues by participating in the affairs of the National Council of Provinces
• .

Each provincial legislature may adopt a constitution for its province if two thirds of its members agree. However, a provincial constitution must correspond with the national Constitution as confirmed by the Constitutional Court. The Constitution of the Western Cape was adopted in 1998.

According to the Constitution, provinces may have legislative and executive powers concurrently with the national sphere over, among other things:

• agriculture
• casinos, racing, gambling and wagering
• cultural affairs
• education at all levels, excluding university and technikon education
• environment
• health services
• housing
• language policy
• nature conservation
• police services
• provincial public media
• public transport
• regional planning and development
• road-traffic regulation
• tourism
• trade and industrial promotion
• traditional authorities
• urban and rural development
• vehicle licensing
• welfare services.

Provinces also have exclusive competency over a number of areas, including:

• abattoirs
• ambulance services
• liquor licences
• museums other than national museums
• provincial planning
• provincial cultural matters
• provincial recreation and activities
• provincial roads and traffic.

In performing the functions prescribed by the national and Western Cape constitutions, the Western Cape Parliament represents the people of the province and is a forum for discussion of provincial issues.