| System of government | Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency |
| V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index | 0.69/1 |
| Head of State (President) | Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC, centre-left) |
| Parties in Government | ANC (centre-left) |
National Parliaments
National Polling Average
Parties
African National Congress (ANC)
Leader: Cyril Ramaphosa
Orientation: Centre-left
Ideology: Social democracy
Stance towards the government: In government
National affiliation: Tripartite Alliance (centre-left to left-wing)
International affiliation: Former Liberation Movements of Southern Arica, Socialist International
Democratic Alliance (DA)
Leader: John Steenhuisen
Orientation: Liberal|Centre-right
Ideology: Liberalism, federalism, anti-corruption
Stance towards the government: Opposition
National affiliation: Multi-Party Charter For South Africa (liberal to right-wing)
International affiliation: Africa Liberal Network, Liberal International
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
Leader: Julius Malema
Orientation: Left-wing
Ideology: Democratic socialism, African nationalism, left-wing populism
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
Leader: Velenkosini Hlabisa
Orientation: Conservative
Ideology: Social conservatism, federalism, economic liberalism
Stance towards the government: Opposition
National affiliation: Multi-Party Charter For South Africa (liberal to right-wing)
International affiliation: Democrat Union of Africa, International Democrat Union
South African Communist Party (SACP)
Leader: Blade Nzimande
Orientation: Left-wing
Ideology: Democratic socialism
Stance towards the government: In government
National affiliation: Tripartite Alliance (left-wing to centre-left)
International affiliation: International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Party
Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus)
Leader: Pieter Groenewald
Orientation: Right-wing
Ideology: Right-wing populism, national-conservatism, minority interests, Cape independence
Stance towards the government: Opposition
National affiliation: Multi-Party Charter For South Africa (liberal to right-wing)
International affiliation: Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)
Leader: Kenneth Meshoe
Orientation: Conservative
Ideology: Radical social conservatism, Christian democracy
Stance towards the government: Opposition
National affiliation: Multi-Party Charter For South Africa (liberal to right-wing)
International affiliation: Democrat Union of Africa
United Democratic Movement (UDM)
Leader: Bantu Holomisa
Orientation: Centre-left
Ideology: Social democracy, unitarism
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
African Transformation Movement (ATM)
Leader: Vuyolwethu Zungula
Orientation: Centre-right
Ideology: Christian democracy, social conservatism
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
Good
Leader: Patricia de Lille
Orientation: Centre-left
Ideology: Social democracy, progressivism
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
National Freedom Party (NFP)
Leader: Vacant
Orientation: Centre
Ideology: Social-liberalism, Zulu interests
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
African Independent Congress (AIC)
Leader: Mandla Galo
Orientation: Centre-right
Ideology: Social conservatism
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
Congress of the People (COPE)
Leader: Mosiuoa Lekota
Orientation: Centre-left
Ideology: Social-liberalism, progressivism
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
Pan Africanist Congress (of Azania) (PAC)
Leader: Mzwanele Nyhontso
Orientation: Centre-left
Ideology: Social democracy, African nationalism
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
Al Jama-ah
ุงูุฌู
ุงุนุฉ
al-jamฤสฟa
The Congregation
Leader: Ganief Hendricks
Orientation: Islamist
Ideology: Islamic democracy, social conservatism, Muslim interests
Stance towards the government: Opposition
International affiliation: N/A
ActionSA
Leader: Herman Mashaba
Orientation: Centre-right
Ideology: Classical liberalism, anti-immigration, libertarianism (factions)
Stance towards the government: Opposition
National affiliation: Multi-Party Charter For South Africa (liberal to right-wing)
International affiliation: N/A
United Independent Movement (UIM)
Leader: Neil de Beer
Orientation: Centre-right
Ideology: Christian democracy
Stance towards the government: Extraparliamentary opposition
International affiliation: N/A
Spectrum National Party (SNP)
Leader: Christopher Claassen
Orientation: *
Ideology: *
Stance towards the government: Extraparliamentary opposition
International affiliation: N/A
Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ICOSA)
Leader: Jeffrey Donson
Orientation: *
Ideology: *
Stance towards the government: Extraparliamentary opposition
International affiliation: N/A