Pressure is intensifying on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill into law, with growing demands from across the political spectrum and civil society. The call for swift action comes as the deadline for consultations on the outstanding clauses of the bill looms on Friday, December 13. Among those urging Ramaphosa to put pen to paper is Marshall Dlamini, the outgoing Secretary General of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who warned that failure to sign the bill would provoke widespread protests. Dlamini’s statements underscore the urgency and seriousness with which the EFF is approaching this issue, pledging to mobilise mass demonstrations should the bill not be enacted as it stands.
Dlamini’s comments follow a broader wave of political pressure surrounding the Bela Bill. Inside the ruling African National Congress (ANC), there are murmurs that President Ramaphosa should act decisively and sign the legislation, or risk further internal dissent. At the heart of the controversy are two key clauses that would see power over school admissions and language policies shift from School Governing Bodies (SGBs) to provincial education departments. These changes have become a flashpoint, particularly for political figures and entities that see them as centralising power in ways that could undermine the autonomy of schools and communities.
Complicating matters, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has staunchly opposed the bill, with their Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, being a vocal critic. Gwarube, who did not attend the signing of the bill earlier this year, has remained steadfast in her opposition, leading the DA to threaten serious consequences if any action is taken against her or other DA ministers. John Steenhuisen, the DA leader, warned that firing Gwarube or removing any other DA official for performing their duties would end the fragile alliance of the Government of National Unity (GNU), a coalition government made up of the ANC and opposition parties. With the situation growing more volatile, it’s clear that the fate of the Bela Bill could have broader implications for South Africa’s political landscape.
The tension surrounding the bill highlights a larger ideological divide within the ANC alliance. The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), the country’s largest teacher union, has also weighed in on the debate, calling for the immediate implementation of sections 4 and 5 of the Bela Act. The union’s support for the bill aligns with the EFF’s stance that the bill should be signed into law without delay or any amendments. This alliance of trade unions and left-leaning political groups places additional pressure on the president, as these groups have significant mobilisation power, particularly in key educational sectors.
Dlamini’s language, however, suggests that the EFF is prepared for more than just political pressure tactics. Speaking ahead of the EFF’s National People’s Assembly (NPA) in Soweto, Dlamini stated unequivocally that should the bill not be signed, the EFF would escalate its campaign to the streets. “We are ready to take it to the ground,” Dlamini warned, referring to the possibility of a nationwide protest movement. His rhetoric underscores the EFF’s growing role as a protest movement that is unafraid to use its street power to influence policy outcomes, and the Bela Bill has become a flashpoint for this assertive political strategy.
As Friday’s deadline approaches, President Ramaphosa faces a delicate balancing act. On one side, there are the demands of the EFF, Sadtu, and other allies within the ANC, all calling for the Bela Bill to be signed as it is, with no compromises. On the other side, there is the DA, whose threat to pull out of the Government of National Unity could destabilise the coalition. With the fate of two crucial clauses still unresolved, Ramaphosa’s decision could not only shape the future of the education system but also the political dynamics within South Africa’s governing alliance. How he responds will likely have far-reaching consequences for both the education sector and the broader stability of the current government.
