These Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures in Southern Africa fall within context of the strategic objective of the SADC Parliamentary Forum relating to Strengthening Institutions for Democratic Governance. Recognising parliament (or the legislature) as one of critical institutions for democratic governance, indeed the glue that holds together the state and society, the SADC Parliamentary Forum has developed these important minimum standards on the constitutional and legal framework, political imperatives as well as institutional, financial, material and human resources requirements for truly democratic parliaments.