Deputy President of South Africa

The Deputy President of South Africa is the acting President of South Africa when the President is outside the country's borders, unable to fulfill the duties of the office, or when the Presidency is vacant. The Deputy President is also a member of the National Assembly and the Cabinet. The Deputy President is constitutionally required to 'assist the President in the execution of the functions of government,' and may be assigned any government portfolio by presidential proclamation. The post is currently vacant after the former Deputy President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka handed in her resignation. She was the first woman to hold the office or an equivalent one in the current Republic of South Africa or any of its previous carnations.

Inception and expiry of term

File:Union Buildings Pretoria.jpg

The Union Buildings in Pretoria is the seat of the South African Presidency.

The Deputy President's term of office is not fixed by law. The Deputy President's term begins when he or she is appointed by the President from amongst members of the National Assembly and takes a prescribed oath.

The Deputy President's term is ended by one of four constitutional mechanisms: dismissal by the President, a successful 'motion of no confidence in the President' by the National Assembly, a successful 'motion of no confidence excluding the President' by the National Assembly, or a newly-elected President's assumption of office. Presumably, a statement of resignation would also be sufficient to end a Deputy President's term of office. The Deputy is the most powerful member of the National Assembly.

List of Deputy Presidents of South Africa, 1994–present

• F.W. de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki jointly: 1994–1996
• Thabo Mbeki: 1996–1999
• Jacob Zuma: 1999–2005
• Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka: 2005–2008
• Position vacant till new appointment

See also

• President of South Africa
• Vice State President of South Africa