The ANC Study Group on Basic Education has called for the immediate implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act, urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to enforce the legislation in full. This comes after several opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus, Patriotic Alliance, Solidarity, and AfriForum, staged protests at the Voortrekker Monument in Tshwane on Tuesday, 5 November. These parties have voiced concerns that the Act could limit mother-tongue education and strip power from School Governing Bodies (SGBs), claims that the ANC has firmly rejected.
Tshepo Louw, Chief Whip of the ANC Study Group, responded to these concerns, describing the claims as disinformation. He emphasized that the Bela Act encourages schools to accommodate a wider range of languages, rather than restricting the use of mother-tongue instruction. Louw pointed out that the opposition’s objections are based on misunderstandings, asserting that the Act seeks to address existing disparities in the education system, including inequities in resources, governance, and access to quality education. He also criticized the protests as efforts to protect Afrikaans, which he argues is linked to issues of white privilege, rather than genuinely safeguarding indigenous languages.
Despite the protests, Louw expressed confidence in the constitutional validity of the Bela Act, noting that President Ramaphosa has already postponed the implementation of controversial clauses 4 and 5 for further consultation. He emphasized that the Act does not remove SGB powers but aims to create a more equitable and effective education system. The ANC remains committed to advancing the legislation, believing it will provide fairer educational opportunities for all South Africans.
