Cape Town – Pressure is mounting on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill into law on Friday, with threats of protests from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and warnings of political fallout from the Democratic Alliance (DA).
EFF’s outgoing secretary general, Marshall Dlamini, said on Thursday that the bill must be signed without amendments, promising mass protests if it is not enacted.
He was speaking ahead of the EFF’s National People’s Assembly in Soweto.
Dlamini said ” if President Ramaphosa did not sigh the Bill, there would mass protests”, IOL reported.
The act, signed into law by Ramaphosa in September, includes contentious clauses regarding school admission and language policies, which have led to disagreements.
DA leader John Steenhuisen has already warned that firing Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, a DA member opposing elements of the bill, could collapse the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) also called on Ramaphosa to ensure the bill is signed by December 13.
Meanwhile, on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Thursday called on ANC leadership to implement the Bela Act without changes, despite opposition from coalition partners.
Speaking at the SACP congress in Boksburg, Lesufi said that failure to implement the act would jeopardize the success of the National Health Insurance (NHI).
“Betrayal is not an option” : Panyaza Lesufi’s message on Bela Act. He speaks at the SACP conference a day before December 13. Thursday is the last day for GNU parties to decide on the matter. @TimesLIVE #SACP5THSNC pic.twitter.com/ChZziTSBTO
— Sine (@Sinesip11136834) December 12, 2024
“We are urging our president to do one thing and one thing only: to allow the implementation of the Bela Act without any further delay.
“We urge this conference to add its voice, to be on the side of our children and bring an end to discrimination against our children.
“Never again will our children decide whether they enter school premises or not based on the colour of their skin or the language they speak,” Lesufi said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
