Responsible South African citizen
Participating in South Africa’s democracy does not begin and end with voting. The laws that govern our country affect our everyday lives, and members of the public have opportunities to participate in the processes through which those laws are made. The Constitution requires Parliament and provincial legislatures to facilitate public involvement in their legislative processes.
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When a proposed law is opened for public comment, you can share your views on whether you support it, have concerns about it or would like certain changes to be made. You do not need to be a lawyer to make a submission. What matters is that you explain your views clearly and why the proposal matters to you.
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This page explains how you can participate in law-making, where to find opportunities for public comment and how to make your contribution.
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Stay informed. Participate meaningfully. Make your voice heard.
Democracy Is More Than Voting
Voting is an important way to participate in South Africa’s democracy, but your opportunity to have a say does not end after an election. You can also participate in decisions that affect your life, including the process of making laws.
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The Constitution requires the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces and provincial legislatures to facilitate public involvement in their legislative and other processes. This means that members of the public must have opportunities to participate, including by sharing their views on proposed laws.
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You do not have to agree with a proposed law to participate. You can explain what you support, what concerns you and what you think should change. Your submission does not guarantee that the law will be changed, but it gives you an opportunity to put your views before the people considering it.
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Source:
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, sections 59, 72 and 118.
How a Bill Becomes Law
A Bill is a proposed law. The visual below shows a simplified overview of how a Bill moves through Parliament and where members of the public may have an opportunity to share their views.
Understanding the law-making process
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A Bill is a proposed law. It may be introduced in Parliament by a Minister, Deputy Minister, parliamentary committee or Member of Parliament. Once introduced, it is generally referred to a parliamentary committee for closer consideration.
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The committee examines the Bill and may invite members of the public to share their views through written submissions or public hearings. This is an opportunity to explain how the proposed law could affect you, what you agree or disagree with, and what changes you would like Parliament to consider. Public input can inform the committee's work and may lead to changes to the Bill, although submitting a comment does not guarantee that your suggestion will be adopted.
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After the relevant parliamentary processes have been completed, the Bill is debated and voted on. At national level, Bills generally pass through both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, although the procedure differs depending on the type of Bill. A Bill that has been passed is sent to the President for assent. If the President has concerns about its constitutionality, the Constitution provides a process for reconsidering it.
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When the President assents to and signs a Bill, it becomes an Act of Parliament. The Act must then be published. It does not necessarily take effect on the day it is signed: it takes effect when published or on a date determined in terms of the Act.
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Important to know: This visual is a simplified guide, not a fixed sequence that every Bill follows. Different types of Bills follow different procedures, and opportunities for public participation may arise at more than one stage, including before a Bill is introduced.
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Sources and further reading:
Parliament: How a Law Is Made
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, chapter 4
How Can You Participate?
Make a written submission
Share your views on a proposed law or another matter being considered by a parliamentary committee. You can explain what you support, what concerns you and what you would like to see changed.
Attend a public hearing
Attend a hearing where members of the public are invited to give their views on a proposed law or other issue. Check the relevant notice for the venue, date and participation arrangements.
Make an oral submission
You may request an opportunity to speak to a committee about your written submission. If you are invited, you can explain your views and answer questions from committee members.
Submit a petition
A petition is a formal request asking Parliament or a legislature to address a matter or grievance. It is different from commenting on a proposed law, and specific submission requirements apply.
Follow parliamentary proceedings
You can follow debates, committee meetings and other parliamentary proceedings to learn what is being discussed and how decisions are made.
Want to get involved? Parliament provides guidance on the different ways you can participate, including attending public hearings, making submissions and presenting petitions. Explore the resources below to learn how you can take part.
How Do I Comment on a Bill?
When Parliament invites the public to comment on a Bill, you can make a written submission explaining your views. You do not need legal qualifications or a complicated document. Parliament does not prescribe a single format, but your submission should be clear, relevant and easy to understand.
Find the Bill and read the public notice
Read the Bill, or the parts that concern you, alongside the notice inviting public comment. Check which committee is considering it, what comments are being requested and when submissions close. The notice will also explain where to send your submission.
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Identify the Bill and yourself
Address your submission to the relevant committee and include the Bill’s full title. State your name, or the name of the organisation you represent, and provide contact details so the committee can contact you if necessary.
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Explain your views
Say whether you support the Bill, have concerns about it or support some parts but not others. Explain why. You could describe how the proposal may affect you, your community or an issue you know about. Focus on the points that matter to you.
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Suggest changes, if you have any
If you think something should be added, removed or changed, say what you propose and why. Refer to a particular clause if you can, but you do not need to draft legal wording to explain your concern. Keep your points accurate, relevant and respectful.
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Check the details before sending
Summarise your main points and check that you have followed any instructions in the notice. If you would also like to speak to the committee, indicate this in your submission. An oral presentation is not automatic; the committee will contact you if you are invited.
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Submit it before the deadline
Send your submission to the correct committee contact, using the method specified in the public notice. This may be by email, post or another submission method indicated in the notice. Make sure your submission reaches the committee by the closing date and keep a copy for your records.
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A note about your contact details: If you do not want your personal contact details to be publicly released with your submission, Parliament advises you to say so in a covering letter and leave those details off the submission itself.
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For more detailed guidance, read Parliament’s How to Make a Submission. It also explains how to request an opportunity to make an oral presentation and notes that submissions may be made in your language of choice.
Where Can I Find Opportunities to Participate?
Opportunities to comment on proposed laws and other government decisions are published by different institutions. There is no single website that lists every opportunity, so where you look will depend on the matter you are interested in.
NATIONAL
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Parliament’s calls for submissions
Parliament publishes invitations to make submissions on Bills and other matters before its committees. The notices provide details about the matter and how to respond.
NATIONAL
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Documents open for public comment
The South African Government website lists documents open for comment, including proposed regulations and other government proposals. Not every document listed is a Bill.
YOUR PROVINCE
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Provincial legislatures
Your provincial legislature may invite submissions or hold public hearings on matters affecting your province. Visit its official website to look for public participation notices and upcoming hearings.
YOUR COMMUNITY​
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Your municipality
Your municipality is another place to look for local public participation opportunities. Check its official website for notices about proposed by-laws and other matters open for comment.
Before you respond: Open the specific notice and check what is open for comment, the closing date and the submission instructions. The links above help you find opportunities; they are not themselves addresses for sending your submission.
What is the Government Gazette?
You may have heard someone refer to the Government Gazette and wondered what it is or why it matters. The Government Gazette is an official publication used to make government information publicly available. It contains a wide range of documents, including Acts, regulations, proclamations and official notices. Some notices invite members of the public to comment on proposed laws, regulations or other matters.
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Why might you read it? The Gazette can help you find the official wording of a published document or check the details of a notice. If a notice invites public comment, look for the closing date, the document being considered and the instructions for submitting your views. Not every notice is an invitation to comment, so read it carefully before responding.
Explore the Government Gazette
You can browse official Gazette publications through the Government Printing Works. For notices listed by topic, you can also explore the South African Government’s notices page.
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Always follow the submission instructions in the specific notice. The Gazette itself is not the address to which you send every comment.
Other Ways to Participate
Take part in local decisions
Your municipality may invite residents to comment on its plans, budget and services. Look out for community meetings and notices about its Integrated Development Plan (IDP), which guides local development priorities. Check your municipality’s website or offices for opportunities to participate.
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See how this works in practice: Senqu Local Municipality publishes its IDP documents and explains how residents can participate in the review process.
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Integrated Development Plan – 2026-2027 | Senqu Local Municipality​
Contact a public representative
You can contact a Member of Parliament, a member of your provincial legislature or a local councillor to raise a concern or share your views on an issue. Parliament provides a tool to help you find a Member of Parliament and a nearby constituency office.
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Parliamentary Constituency Offices - Parliament of South Africa
Work with others in your community
You can discuss an issue with neighbours, a community group or an organisation working on a matter that concerns you. Where you share a concern, you may choose to raise it together through an appropriate public participation process.