The Democratic Alliance (DA) says everything should be done to save the Government of National Unity (GNU), which has hit turbulence, with President Cyril Ramaphosa set to sign the divisive Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law at the Union Buildings on Friday.
The BELA Bill amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 (SASA) and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (EEA) to account for developments in the education landscape since the enactment of the original legislation.
DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the president is threatening the GNU which was formed after the May 29 general elections when the ANC lost its majority.
“It is very important to realise that the DA is not threatening to exit the Government of National Unity. The threat to the GNU currently is from the president’s side. The president knew how we and other parties feel about this and he decided to carry on, irrespective of our feelings.
“So it is the ANC that is, in their actions, being a threat to the GNU. We must protect this GNU at all costs and the Democratic Alliance will look at all the options available, plus, should this be signed into law, we will take this to court. We will take this to the Constitutional Court if needs be. We will look at the options available to us,” Aucamp said in an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
In an interview with IOL, United Democratic Movement (UDM) secretary general Yongama Zigebe said it would be “very unreasonable” for Ramaphosa to sign the Bill on Friday without consulting his partners in the GNU.
“We think the president needs to sit down with all political parties and that they would find each other on the Bill. The Bill itself has brought about a lot of opposition, and within the context of the GNU, him signing the Bill right now would be very unreasonable and it would rock the boat within the GNU because we have political parties who are well opposed and I think their views and opinions need to be listened to, and a compromise needs to be struck for the Bill to be signed,” said Zigebe.
The UDM is calling for the formation of the political council mooted on the GNU statement of intent to deal with contentious matters among political parties in the grand coalition running South Africa.
“On the issue of the Bill itself, especially when we are talking about taking power from school governing bodies and putting it into government, you are actually removing parents, a certain sector of the school system, and it is somehow dictatorial to make the (education) department a demigod over the lives of children without the parents’ consent,” said Zigebe.
On the other hand, outspoken education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on Ramaphosa to ensure that the BELA Bill complies with the Constitution before signing it into law.
“We urge the president to double-check the provisions related to mother tongue education. It is crucial that the Bill complies with the Constitution and promotes the rights of learners to receive education in their mother tongue.
“The Constitution guarantees the right to receive education in one's mother tongue (Section 29(2)). However, concerns have been raised that the BELA Bill may not adequately uphold this right. We call on President Ramaphosa to ensure that the Bill upholds this constitutional right and provides adequate support and resources for mother tongue education,” said Makaneta.
The activist urged Ramaphosa to consider the long-term implications of the BELA Bill on South Africa’s education system.
“The Bill should aim to address the systemic challenges facing our education sector, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient resources, and disparities in education quality,” said Makaneta.
“By ensuring that the BELA Bill complies with the Constitution and promotes mother tongue education, President Ramaphosa can demonstrate his commitment to inclusive education and the rights of learners. We look forward to the president's thoughtful consideration of this critical matter.”
On the other hand, civil rights group AfriForum on Wednesday threatened that it will proceed with legal steps as soon as Ramaphosa signs the BELA Bill.
“AfriForum views the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA) as an attempt at cultural ethnic cleansing by the ANC government, as the implementation of the Bill will enable the destruction of a linguistic and cultural community’s schools, thereby jeopardising the group’s cultural existence,” said Alana Bailey, head of cultural affairs at AfriForum.
AfriForum made the announcement during a joint media conference alongside Solidarity, Solidarity Helping Hand, the Skoleondersteuningsentrum (SOS) and the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK) on Wednesday.
According to Bailey, over the years, thousands of members of AfriForum and the wider public have pledged their support to AfriForum’s sharp opposition to the Bill.
“The more information about its contents became known, the more the opposition to it escalated. It is therefore extremely disappointing that the president plans to sign the Bill into law. It is an aggressive act of contempt for public opinion that transforms the government of national unity into a government of national disunity,” said Bailey.
Meanwhile, ActionSA said it is disappointed, but unsurprised that despite intensive efforts against the BELA Bill, it will be signed into law.
“If indeed the DA was in an equal partnership in the grand coalition, this proposed signing of the BELA Bill ought to have been halted. However, President Ramaphosa seems determined to run roughshod over the Minister of Basic Education who is opposed to the Bill,” said Lerato Ngobeni, ActionSA’s Parliamentary caucus chief whip.
“The time has come to put their money where their mouth is, and protect the interests of millions of children and teachers. Failing to do so will indeed confirm that they are prepared to forgo safeguarding what little integrity remains in our education system in service of retaining German SUVs (sport utility vehicles) and ministerial perks,” Ngobeni said.
IOL