The Free State Provincial Legislature is an organ of state mandated by the Constitution to enact provincial legislation. Its authority stems from Section 104 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996), ensuring all laws align with national constitutional principles.

As a cornerstone of democracy, the Legislature enables provincial residents to contribute to lawmaking through Public Hearings. These forums allow communities to shape proposed legislation, ensuring it reflects their needs without violating constitutional standards.

Mandates of the Legislature

The Constitution outlines three core functions for the Legislature:

Law Making: Drafting, amending, approving, or rejecting bills, often in consultation with the public.

Oversight: Monitoring the Executive and public entities to ensure accountability.

Public Participation: Involving citizens in legislative processes to uphold democratic rights.

The Legislature implements strategies to oversee provincial departments and entities, promoting transparency. It also educates the public on their role in governance, empowering them to engage in legislative processes.

Composition of the Legislature

Members are democratically elected from various political parties, with seat allocation determined by election outcomes. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) oversees this transparent process, using a predefined formula to allocate seats.

In the Free State, six political parties are represented:

African National Congress (ANC): 16 seats

Democratic Alliance (DA): 7 seats 

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): 4 seats 

UMkhonto Wesizwe (MK): 1 seat 

Freedom Front Plus (FF+): 1 seat