Cape Town — A key party in South Africa’s young unity government (GNU) warned on Thursday it could not rule out quitting the testy alliance as it faces its first major test over an education bill.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill on Friday despite objections from parties in the nearly three-month-old unity government (GNU).
The new law will give the government more power to determine the language and admission policies of schools which critics say could undermine mother-tongue education.
DA LEADER JOHN STEENHUISEN SPEAKS OUT ON BELA BILL POSITION https://t.co/t18hLv4J6m
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 12, 2024
The Afrikaans community in particular fears this could penalise schools that teach in its minority language.
The leader of the second-largest party in the unity government, the Democratic Alliance (DA), told the Cape Town Press Club he had met Ramaphosa to discuss the bill which it believes must not become law.
If Ramaphosa went ahead and signed the bill, “we will have to consider all of our options on the way forward,” party leader John Steenhuisen said.
“If the President goes ahead tomorrow [and sign the BELA Bill], the DA will have to consider all of our options on the way forward.” – John Steenhuisen, DA Federal Leader
The DA can never in good conscience be party to an assault on the Constitution! pic.twitter.com/fa6JZa7yNE
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) September 12, 2024
The dispute over the education bill is the first major test for the government of national unity (GNU) formed after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in May elections.
Conflicts in the government are “not necessarily an existential threat to the government,” Steenhuisen said.
“But that doesn’t mean we would never walk away under any circumstances.”
Ramaphosa meanwhile downplayed concerns that the bill could fracture the government, saying he had met alliance parties for dinner on Wednesday evening.
“Each one of the parties that were at that dinner table all confirmed that the government of national unity is here to stay,” he said.
Honourable Members,
The policy direction of the Government of National Unity was outlined in the Opening of Parliament Address on the 18th of July 2024.
The key constitutive ideas of the Government of National Unity are set out in the Statement of Intent that was signed by… pic.twitter.com/tmOLt9Utdv
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 12, 2024
In his address, Steenhuisen reminded the ANC that his party holds the balance of power in the unity government.
“Without the DA’s support in parliament, the government does not have a majority in parliament,” he said.
The DA priority is an economy that grows and creates jobs. “If the GNU can’t do that, there is no point being part of it,” he said.
The DA in government has made a clear strategic choice. Our single priority is economic growth and job creation. Growth and jobs. pic.twitter.com/LIq2TfGyF0
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) September 12, 2024
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Source: AFP
Picture: X/@jsteenhuisen
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