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The President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state
Head of State

Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth or any other political state....
 and head of government
Head of government

The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet . In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled Prime Minister, President of the Government, Premier, etc....
 under South Africa
South Africa

The Republic of South Africa, also known by Official names of South Africa, is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa....
's Constitution
Constitution of South Africa

The current and official Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was adopted on 8 May 1996. It is the supreme Law of South Africa of South Africa....
. From 1961 to 1994, the head of state was called the State President
State President of South Africa

State President, or Staatspresident in Afrikaans, was South Africa's head of state from 1961 to 1994. The office was established when the country became a republic in 1961, and Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom ceased to be head of state....
.

The President is elected by members of the National Assembly
National Assembly of South Africa

The National Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of South Africa, located in Cape Town, Western Cape Province. It consists of no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 Members of Parliament....
, the lower house of Parliament
Parliament of South Africa

The Parliament of South Africa is South Africa legislature and is composed of the National Assembly of South Africa and the National Council of Provinces....
, usually being the leader of the largest party, which has been the African National Congress
African National Congress

The African National Congress has been South Africa's governing party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in May 1994....
 since the first non-racial elections were held on 27 April 1994. The first President to be elected under the new Constitution was Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the first President of South Africa of South Africa to be elected in a universal suffrage democratic election, serving in the office from 1994?99....
, who was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki

Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served almost two terms as the second democratically elected President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008....
 in 1999, followed by Kgalema Motlanthe in September 2008.






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The President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state
Head of State

Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth or any other political state....
 and head of government
Head of government

The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet . In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled Prime Minister, President of the Government, Premier, etc....
 under South Africa
South Africa

The Republic of South Africa, also known by Official names of South Africa, is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa....
's Constitution
Constitution of South Africa

The current and official Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was adopted on 8 May 1996. It is the supreme Law of South Africa of South Africa....
. From 1961 to 1994, the head of state was called the State President
State President of South Africa

State President, or Staatspresident in Afrikaans, was South Africa's head of state from 1961 to 1994. The office was established when the country became a republic in 1961, and Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom ceased to be head of state....
.

The President is elected by members of the National Assembly
National Assembly of South Africa

The National Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of South Africa, located in Cape Town, Western Cape Province. It consists of no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 Members of Parliament....
, the lower house of Parliament
Parliament of South Africa

The Parliament of South Africa is South Africa legislature and is composed of the National Assembly of South Africa and the National Council of Provinces....
, usually being the leader of the largest party, which has been the African National Congress
African National Congress

The African National Congress has been South Africa's governing party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in May 1994....
 since the first non-racial elections were held on 27 April 1994. The first President to be elected under the new Constitution was Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the first President of South Africa of South Africa to be elected in a universal suffrage democratic election, serving in the office from 1994?99....
, who was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki

Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served almost two terms as the second democratically elected President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008....
 in 1999, followed by Kgalema Motlanthe in September 2008. In §5, section 88, the Constitution also limits the President's time in office to two terms. Presidents are elected after each parliamentary election, giving presidents a term of office of between five and ten years.

Under the interim Constitution (valid from 1994 to 1996), there was a Government of National Unity
Government of National Unity (South Africa)

Between April 27, 1994 and February 3, 1997 South Africa was governed under the terms of the interim Constitution of South Africa. Clause 88 of the interim Constitution required that any party holding twenty or more seats in the National Assembly of South Africa could claim one or more cabinet portfolios and enter the government....
, in which an MP from the largest opposition party was entitled to a position as Deputy President. Along with Mbeki, the last State President, F.W. De Klerk
Frederik Willem de Klerk

Frederik Willem de Klerk was the last State President of History of South Africa in the apartheid era South Africa, serving from September 1989 to May 1994....
 also served as Deputy President, in his capacity as the leader of the National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
 which was the second-largest party in the new Parliament. But De Klerk later resigned and went into opposition with his party. A voluntary coalition government continues to exist under the new constitution (adopted in 1996), although there have been no appointments of opposition politicians to the post of deputy president.

Presidential powers

  • Head of the State and Government of the Republic of South Africa
  • Leader of the Cabinet
  • Appoints ministers and members to the Cabinet
  • Awards and confers the National Orders of the State
  • Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force
    South African National Defence Force

    The South African National Defence Force is the name of the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution....
  • Appoints the Chief Justices of the State
  • Must approve all bills, amendments and legislation
  • May declare war or peace


The President is referred to as: "Your Excellency", "Mr/Madam President" or "The Honourable (name)".

The official seat of the President are the Union Buildings
Union Buildings

The Union Buildings form the official seat of the South African government and also house the offices of the President of South Africa. The imposing buildings sit on Meintjieskop, overlook Pretoria and is a South African National monument....
 in Pretoria
Pretoria

Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three Capital , serving as the Executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislature capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital....
 and the Tuynhuys in Cape Town
Cape Town

Cape Town is the second most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the City of Cape Town. It is the provincial Capital of the Western Cape, as well as the legislature capital of South Africa, where the Parliament of South Africa and many government offices are located....
. His living residences are Mahlamba Ndlopfu
Mahlamba Ndlopfu

Mahlamba Ndlopfu is the Official Residence for the President of South Africa in Pretoria.The house, formerly called Libertas, was designed by Architect Gerard Moerdijk in a traditional Cape Dutch architecture style and completed in 1940 as the official residence for the Prime Minister of South Africa....
 in Pretoria and Genadendal in Cape Town.

List of Presidents of South Africa (1961-present)

# Name Picture Life span Took office Left office Political Party
State Presidents as head of state (Ceremonial, 1961-1984)
1Charles Robberts Swart
Charles Robberts Swart

Charles Robberts Swart served as the last Governor-General of the Union of South Africa from 1960 to 1961 and the first State President of South Africa of the Republic of South Africa from 1961 to 1967....
1894 — 198231 May 196131 May 1967National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
2T. E. Dönges 1898 — 196831 May 19671 June 1967National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
—Jozua François Naudé
Jozua François Naudé

Jozua Fran?ois Naud? served as Acting State President of South Africa from 1967 to 1968.A National Party politician for many years, he served as Minister of Posts and Telegraphs from 1950 to 1954, as Minister of Health from 1954 to 1958, and as Minister of Finance from 1958 to 1961....

(Acting)		 1889 — 19691 June 196710 April 1968National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
3Jacobus Johannes Fouché
Jacobus Johannes Fouché

Jacobus Johannes Fouch? served as the second State President of South Africa from 1968 to 1975.Born in the Boer republic of the Orange Free State , Fouch? was a successful farmer....
 1898 — 198010 April 19689 April 1975National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
—Johannes de Klerk
(Acting)		 1903 — 19799 April 197519 April 1975National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
4Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs
Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs

Nicolaas Diederichs served as the third State President of South Africa from 1975 to 1978.An economist, Diederichs obtained a doctorate from the University of Leyden....
 1903 — 197819 April 197521 August 1978
(died in office)		National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
—Marais Viljoen
Marais Viljoen

Marais Viljoen was the last State President of South Africa#Ceremonial post State President of South Africa of South Africa from 4 June 1979 until 3 September 1984....

(Acting)		 1915 — 200721 August 197810 October 1978National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
5Balthazar Johannes Vorster1915 — 198310 October 19784 June 1979
(resigned)		National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
6Marais Viljoen
Marais Viljoen

Marais Viljoen was the last State President of South Africa#Ceremonial post State President of South Africa of South Africa from 4 June 1979 until 3 September 1984....
 (2nd time)		 1915 — 200719 June 1979
Acting since 4 June 1979		3 September 1984National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
State Presidents as Head of State and Government (Executive, 1984-1994)
7Pieter Willem Botha
Pieter Willem Botha

Pieter Willem Botha , commonly known as "P. W." and Die Groot Krokodil , was the Prime Minister of South Africa of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive State President of South Africa from 1984 to 1989....
 1916 — 200614 September 1984
Acting since 3 September 1984		15 March 1989National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
—Chris Heunis
(Acting)		 1927 — 200619 January 198915 March 1989National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
7Pieter Willem Botha
Pieter Willem Botha

Pieter Willem Botha , commonly known as "P. W." and Die Groot Krokodil , was the Prime Minister of South Africa of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive State President of South Africa from 1984 to 1989....
 1916 — 200615 March 198915 August 1989
(resigned)		National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
8Frederik Willem de Klerk
Frederik Willem de Klerk

Frederik Willem de Klerk was the last State President of History of South Africa in the apartheid era South Africa, serving from September 1989 to May 1994....
1936 —        20 September 1989
Acting since 15 August 1989		10 May 1994National Party
National Party (South Africa)

The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from June 4, 1948 until May 9, 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture....
Presidents of post-Apartheid South Africa (also with executive powers, since 1994)
9Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the first President of South Africa of South Africa to be elected in a universal suffrage democratic election, serving in the office from 1994?99....
Nelson Mandela
1918 —        10 May 199416 June 1999African National Congress
African National Congress

The African National Congress has been South Africa's governing party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in May 1994....
10Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki

Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served almost two terms as the second democratically elected President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008....
Sthafrica
1942 —        16 June 199925 September 2008
(resigned)		African National Congress
African National Congress

The African National Congress has been South Africa's governing party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in May 1994....
11Kgalema Motlanthe1949 —        25 September 2008IncumbentAfrican National Congress
African National Congress

The African National Congress has been South Africa's governing party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in May 1994....


First Ladies

  • 1994 - 1996 Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
    Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

    Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is a South African politician who has held several government positions, headed the African National Congress' African National Congress Women's League, is currently a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee and is the former first lady of South Africa....
  • 1996 - 1998 First Daughter Zindzi Mandela-Hlongwane
  • 1998 - 1999 Graca Machel
    Graça Machel

    Gra?a Machel is the third wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela and the former widow of the late Mozambican president Samora Machel....
  • 1999 - 2004 Zanele Mbeki
  • 2004 - 2008 Zanele Mbeki
  • 2008 - 2009 Incumbent President (Divorced)


See also

  • List of State Presidents of South Africa
    State President of South Africa

    State President, or Staatspresident in Afrikaans, was South Africa's head of state from 1961 to 1994. The office was established when the country became a republic in 1961, and Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom ceased to be head of state....
  • List of Prime Ministers of South Africa
    List of Prime Ministers of South Africa

    The Prime Minister of South Africa was the head of government in South Africa between 1910 and 1984.The King of South Africa was the head of state, until 1961, when the non-executive State President of South Africa assumed that role, following South Africa's departure from the Commonwealth of Nations, and the establishment of a republic....
  • Governor-General of the Union of South Africa
    Governor-General of the Union of South Africa

    The Governor-General of the Union of South Africa was the representative of the Monarchy of the United Kingdom and later King of South Africa in South Africa between May 31,1910 and May 31,1961....
  • Presidents of the South African Republic (1857-1902)
    South African Republic

    The South African Republic , often informally known as the Transvaal Republic, was an independent Boer-ruled country in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century....
  • Freedom Day
    Freedom Day (South Africa)

    Freedom Day is a South Africa public holiday celebrated on April 27.It celebrates Freedom and commemorates the first post-apartheid South African general election, 1994 held on that day in 1994....


External links