Gauteng, the most populated province in South Africa, will have more provincial legislature seats in the National and Provincial Elections 2024 (NPE), compared with the 2019 elections.

In the previous elections, KZN had the most seats – seven more than Gauteng’s 73. KZN has retained its 80 seats.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa, known as the IEC, published the seat determination for provincial legislatures on Friday.

The seats are determined in accordance with Section 105(2) of the Republic of South Africa’s Constitution Act 108 of 1996 and item 3(1) of Schedule 3 to the Electoral Act No.73 of 1998.

The provincial legislatures’ seats determination takes into account scientifically based data on the population in each province, as well as representation by interested parties.

Seat determination is as follows:

• Gauteng: 15.1m population (80 seats)
• Limpopo: 6.4m population (64 seats)
• Mpumalanga: 5.1m population (51 seats)
• North West: 3.8m population (38 seats)
• Free State: 3m population (30 seats)
• KZN: 12.4m population (80 seats)
• Northern Cape: 1.4m population (30 seats)
• Eastern Cape: 7.2m population (72)
• Western Cape: 7.4m population (Still to be finalised in accordance with the provincial constitution)

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce the election date shortly.

Difference between national and provincial governments

South Africans vote in national and provincial elections every five years. But what is the difference between the national government and provincial legislatures?

The national elections choose the people who make and carry out laws and policies for the country. Provincial governments make and carry out laws and policies that affect the province only.

To find out more about the three tiers of government, click here.

DID YOU KNOW? In 2019, electoral laws changed, allowing the Electoral Commission to re-determine provincial legislature seats based on population.

Visit https://t.co/OT86Jy1Kxv to learn more about the Electoral Amendment Act. pic.twitter.com/9LYvqyMoHm

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) September 19, 2023