Cape Town — Civil Organisation Group, AfriForum, along with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+), marched against the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill on Tuesday.
A large crowd of more than 10 000 people took part in the protest against the BELA Bill, which included individuals, political parties and social groups. Led by AfriForum, Solidarity, and other organised who were concerned about Afrikaans education in opposition to the current BELA Bill format, an AfriForum statement said.
The march took place on Reconciliation Road in Gauteng and a memorandum of demands was handed to the DA and FF+ supporters. The memorandum, which was signed by over 40 organisations, was handed to Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenize – a representative of the presidency.
The DA, FF Plus and other organisations are protesting against the implementation of the BELA Act. FF Plus MP Wouter Wessels says if passed, the legislation would create problems. @JuniourKhumalo_ has more.
Watch: https://t.co/SEMYuuXNjC#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/lS5rvGnCis
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 5, 2024
Flip Buys, the chairprson of the Solidarity Movement, said modern-day colonialists such as Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, and Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, are attempting to anglicise Afrikaans schools.
“They will not succeed. Afrikaans will remain. What we’re doing here today is out of love. It’s not like Lesufi and co., who act out of hatred for other groups. It’s out of love for our children, for our schools, for our heritage, and for our country,” Buys said.
Kallie Kriel, the CEO of AfriForum, said it was a historic day that marked the largest march of Afrikaans speakers since 1994. He said people are angry and that was on show today.
“They’re angry because our children are being targeted by a law that attacks Afrikaans schools and essentially threatens our cultural survival,” Kriel said.
Vandag se optog teen die anti-Afrikaanse BELA-wet is geskiedkundig, aangesien dit met meer as 10 000 deelnemers die grootste optog uit Afrikaanse geledere sedert 1994 is. Ons is die kwaadste sedert 1994, aangesien BELA ’n daad van aggressie teen ons kinders is. Die stryd duur… pic.twitter.com/lfP5Tj8Z34
— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) November 5, 2024
The DA released a statement and said it has opposed Clauses 4 and 5 of the BELA Bill as it gives the state too much control over who gets an education and in what language.
“The constitution is clear, everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice. These hard-fought rights enshrined in our constitution cannot simply be given away at the stroke of a pen,” DA leader, John Steenhuien said.
Steenhuisen said school governing bodies (SGBs) should make decisions which reflect the needs of parents and the communities, adding that the DA could not allow the “authority” to be handed over to a provincial office and away from he needs of community members.
He added that the mother-tongue education should be protected.
“We need to focus on improving the standard of education in our schools across the board, rather than micro-managing language and admissions policies. If we are to produce learners who are ready to be employed, they need compassionate, committed teachers. Children need to be taught wherever is most convenient for them to go to school. That is not the state’s decision,” he added.
🧢 The DA remains committed to defending the constitutional right to mother-tongue education. We will continue to strenuously oppose any attempt by Education Department officials to override school governing bodies’ right to formulate language and admissions policies. #StopBELA pic.twitter.com/RGwFxdjbqp
— DA Gauteng (@DAGauteng) November 5, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
