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Political parties, civil society organisations react to full implementation of Bela Act

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By Akani Nkuna

Political parties and civil society organizations have cautiously welcomed the full implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, and called on minister Siviwe Gwarube to establish clear norms, standards, and regulations to guide the rollout of its contested sections.

The move is meant to address concerns surrounding the implementation of Sections 4 and 5, which were delayed to allow for further deliberation by various political parties and civil society organisations.

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen expressed support for the full implementation of the Bela Act on Friday, December 20, 2024.

“The President’s announcement that the Bela Act be implemented in full was accepted by all the parties involved in the Task Team (DA, FF-Plus, GOOD and ANC) on condition that DA Minister Siviwe Gwarube issues norms, standards and regulations to govern the implementation of the contested sections of the Act,” said Steenhuisen.

Steenhuisen described the move as a groundbreaking compromise achieved through the Clearing House Mechanism’s task team, enabling the implementation of the Bela Act while safeguarding constitutional rights to mother-tongue education.

Solidarity Movement spokesperson Werner Human praised the development, noting its alignment with Solidarity’s earlier accord with the government at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).

“This announcement aligns with Solidarity’s agreement with the government at Nedlac. This agreement stipulates, among other things, that the controversial articles cannot be implemented until norms and standards have been developed,” said Human.

“According to this agreement, norms and standards must determine that Afrikaans schools that are full cannot be forced to change their language policy, while the language needs of the surrounding community rather than the education district must be taken into account.”

ANC alliance partner COSATU has also welcomed Ramaphosa’s decision to sign the Bela Act into law while urging the Minister of Basic Education to expedite its implementation.

The trade union federation emphasized the importance of ensuring the necessary regulations, policies, infrastructure, and staffing are in place to facilitate a smooth rollout.

“Whilst applauding President Ramaphosa’s directive to the implementation of the Bela Act in full, it is critical the Department of Basic Education move with speed to ensure the necessary regulations, policies, infrastructure and staffing are in place to enable its smooth rolling out,” said COSATU’s parliamentary coordinator, Matthew Parks.

Parks also emphasized the need for the Treasury to allocate sufficient resources to schools, guaranteeing that all learners can exercise their constitutional right to quality education.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) expressed relief following Ramaphosa’s landmark decision to approve the full implementation of the Bela Act.

The teachers’ union hailed the decision as a testament to the power of collective advocacy, emphasizing that their persistent efforts have finally borne fruit.

SADTU General Secretary Dr. Mugwena Maluleke said on Friday: “We are pleased that attempts by right-wing formations to manipulate the law for the benefit of a select few were unsuccessful. The integrity of the Act has been preserved, ensuring it serves the educational needs of all learners.”

Another close ally of the ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP), has also welcomed Ramaphosa’s proclamation on Friday for the full implementation of the Bela Act.

SACP National spokesperson Dr. Alex Mashilo emphasized the party’s firm stance against any regulations by the Minister of Basic Education that could undermine the Act’s full implementation or perpetuate discriminatory practices, such as biased school language or admission policies.

“No school in our country should be reserved for any particular racial group on any grounds. Apartheid-era practices in education must be eradicated entirely. Every school must be a non-racial, non-sexist center of learning for all South Africans, irrespective of language or admission policies,” Mashilo said.

“The SACP will further campaign to counter efforts aimed at blocking the full implementation of the Bela Act, particularly the drive by the racists who opposed the implementation of clauses 4 and 5 of the Bela Act in what they referred to as “Afrikaans schools”.”

“These clauses, now carrying the President’s instruction for their full implementation, are critical to end the practices of school governing bodies that uphold the apartheid legacy of discrimination and exclusion. Such backward practices deprive African learners of access to these schools through exclusionary admission and language policies, which act as barriers rather than enablers of access.”

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