The National Council of Provinces (NCOP), known as the upper house, is one of the two Houses of the Parliament of South Africa, under the national government. The second house of Parliament, known as the lower house, is the National Assembly (NA).
The National Council of Provinces is constitutionally mandated to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government. This is done through participation in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for consideration of issues affecting the provinces of South Africa.
The National Council of Provinces also plays a unique role in the promotion of the principles of Cooperative Government and Intergovernmental Relations.
NCOP ensures that the three spheres of government work together in performing their unique functions in terms of the Constitution and that, in doing so, they do not encroach on each other’s area of competence. This ensures that synergy exists between the spheres on matters of concurrent competence.
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) consists of 90 delegates, 10 delegates for each of the 9 provinces regardless of the population of the province. Each province is equally represented in the NCOP.
A provincial delegation is composed of 6 permanent delegates and 4 special delegates. The party representation in the delegation must proportionally reflect the party representation in the provincial legislature, based on a formula included in the Constitution.
The permanent delegates are selected by the nine provincial legislatures. The four special delegates include the Premier of the province and three other delegates. They are nominated by each province from the members of the provincial legislature and are contingent on the subject matter being considered by the NCOP.
The premier leads the province’s delegation in the NCOP, but they can choose any of the other delegates to head the delegation in their absence.
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is also part of the NCOP. SALGA has 10 delegates who may partake in the debates and other activities, but they do not vote.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Ms Refilwe Maria Mtshweni-Tsipane (ANC)
Deputy Chairperson
- Mr Les Govender (IFP)
Members
- Ms Jeanne Marguerite Adriaanse (DA)
- Ms Laetitia Heloise Arries (EFF)
- Mr Frederik Jacobus Badenhorst (Chairperson: Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in The Presidency) (DA)
- Ms Mathilda Michelle Bains (ANC)
- Mr Mzamo Billy (DA)
- Ms Hildegard Sonja Boshoff (Chairperson: Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade) (DA)
- Ms Tamarin Breedt (FF PLUS)
- Mr Joseph Hendrik Pieter Britz (DA)
- Mr Khanya Ceza (EFF)
- Ms Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa-Mpungose (EFF)
- Ms Mapule Gladys Dhlamini (ANC)
- Ms Nicola Susanna Du Plessis (DA)
- Mr Bino Jan Farmer (PA)
- Mr Makhi Feni (Chairperson: Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries) (ANC)
- Ms Desery Fienies (Chairperson: Select Committee on Social Services) (ANC)
- Mr Virgill Gericke (EFF)
- Mr Nicholas Gotsell (DA)
- Mr Thomas Mxolisi Kaunda (Chairperson: Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration) (ANC)
- Ms Meisie Kennedy (EFF)
- Ms Tidimalo Innocentia Legwase (Chairperson: Select Committee on Appropriations) (ANC)
- Mr Baakisang Solomon Mabebo (ANC)
- Mr Solomon Patrick Mabilo (ANC)
- Mr Jerome Sibongiseni Majola (MK)
- Ms Mandisa Makesini (EFF)
- Ms Jane Seboletswe Mananiso (Chairperson: Select Committee on Security and Justice) (ANC)
- Mr Asanda Matshobeni (EFF)
- Ms Onica Dipuo Medupe (ANC)
- Mr Kenneth Mosimanegare Mmoiemang (Chief Whip of the NCOP) (ANC)
- Mr Mpho Gift Modise (Chairperson: Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform, and Mineral Resources) (ANC)
- Mr Ofentse Jeremiah Mokae (Chairperson: Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings) (DA)
- Ms Seeng Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi (MK)
- Mr Malesela Frans Mokwele (ANC)
- Ms Kolobe Regina Molokomme (Programming Whip) (ANC)
- Ms Sanny Ndhlovu (Chairperson: Select Committee on Finance) (ANC)
- Ms Mary Bernadette Ndlangisa (ANC)
- Ms Zamathembu Nokuthula Ngcobo (MK)
- Mr Pitso Edwin Noe (ANC)
- Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana (ANC)
- Ms Sylvia Cecilia Nxumalo (ANC)
- Mr Edward Nzimande (MK)
- Mr Mandla Matthewis Peter (UDM)
- Mr Phiroene Phala (ANC)
- Mr Nicolaas Hendrik Pienaar (DA)
- Mr Bhekizizwe Abram Radebe (House Chairperson: Members Support and International Relations) (ANC)
- Mr Dennis Richard Ryder (House Chairperson: Committees) (DA)
- Mr Igor Stefan Scheurkogel (DA)
- Mr Mtikeni Patrick Sibande (ANC)
- Ms Sylvia Losea Sithole (ANC)
- Ms Annacleta Mathapelo Siwisa (EFF)
- Mr Paul John Swart (DA)
- Mr Hendrik Jacobus Van Den Berg (FF PLUS)
- Mr Sifiso Advocate Zulu (MK)
Secretary to the National Council of Provinces
- Adv Modibedi E Phindela
Undersecretary to the National Council of Provinces
- Adv Benny Nonyane
Senior Management
- Bandisiwe Cabangana-Mnyanda (Manager: Committees, IGR and Oversight)
- Mpubane Mathebe (Manager: IR and Members Support)
- Bafo Momoti (Legal Advisor)
- Sebolelo Mvulane (Office Manager: Deputy Chairperson NCOP)
- Mandisi Tyumre (Research and Content Support Manager)
Communications Officers
- Mr Noah Khuthala (Communication Specialist)
Contact Details
The contact details of the National Council of Provinces are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | Parliament Street, Cape Town |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 15, Cape Town, 8000 |
| Telephone: | 021 403 2911 |
| Fax: | 021 403 8219 |
| Email: | info@parliament.gov.za |
| Website: | www.parliament.gov.za/national-council-provinces |
