Johannesburg – John Steenhuisen, the Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), revealed a “win-win compromise” aimed at facilitating the passage of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA).
In reaction to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s comments on resolving controversial elements of BELA at the clearing house, Steenhuisen stated that this progress allows for the Act’s enforcement “without violating the fundamental constitutional rights to mother tongue education.”
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“Crucially, the President’s announcement regarding the execution of the BELA Act clarifies that the Minister of Basic Education, the DA’s Siviwe Gwarube, is now tasked with formulating regulations along with norms and standards that will govern the Act, particularly on sensitive matters related to language and admissions,” remarked Steenhuisen.
“We have full confidence in Minister Gwarube’s ability to establish effective guidelines that will protect school autonomy from potential threats.
“Entrusting this important role to a sensible DA Minister highlights the DA’s role in the GNU as the protector of constitutional rights, including the right to mother-tongue education.”
Steenhuisen pointed out that the President’s confirmation to fully implement the BELA Act was welcomed by all parties involved in the Task Team (DA, FF-Plus, GOOD, and ANC), agreeing that DA Minister Siviwe Gwarube would set the norms, standards, and regulations necessary to manage the implementation of the Act’s contentious sections.
“This has been a challenging journey, but this outcome has shown that the conflict resolution mechanisms of the GNU can work effectively when parties demonstrate the necessary goodwill,” Steenhuisen, who also serves as the Minister of Agriculture, commented.
“The DA remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the current right to mother-tongue education and to broaden access for more learners throughout South Africa.
“Our position that the disputed sections of the BELA Act can only be enacted with the appropriate safeguards under a DA Minister has been reaffirmed.”
The GOOD Party expressed that it, “commends President Ramaphosa for signing the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act into law today, without watering down its provisions to appease right-wing factions claiming to ‘protect’ Afrikaans-speaking children from a non-existent ‘threat’ stemming from cultural integration.”
