South African Business Legislation

This South African business-related legislation for Business Studies students and their teachers. From Grade 10 to Grade 12, the syllabus makes regular reference to local business legislation such as the Consumer Protection Act of 2008 and Skills Development Act of 1998.

These laws regulate the conduct of businesses in South Africa, with regards to their employees, customers, competitors and other stakeholders. They are important for learners to know, as they create a context through which to understand local trade. They help you realise why South African companies and employees behave in certain ways.

For example, the Employment Equity Act, which advocates for affirmative action, gives clarity on why employers put an importance on having a fair representation of the various race groups in their companies.

While most textbooks give good summaries of the Acts, it sometimes helps to read them for yourself. An assignment that requires critical assessment of the law, might need you to develop your own, deeper understanding of the acts.

South African business legislation. NSC Business Studies. Definition of legislation and Act

What is an Act?

An Act is a set of rules that are passed by the Parliament. It is enforced by different government institutions in order to regulate behaviour within the country.

It is first presented as a Bill, which is a proposal of a new law. When the Bill has been approved by both Houses of Parliament (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces) and signed by the President, it becomes an Act and gets published on the Government Gazette.

The Act only becomes effective once it is published on the Gazette.

What is Legislation?

Legislation is a set of laws that are set by the government. We refer to Acts as legislation because they contain categories of rules that are approved and enforced by the government.