The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has sharply criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to delay the implementation of two contentious sections of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (Bela), accusing him of acting out of political expediency. Sadtu, an affiliate of the African National Congress (ANC), maintains that Ramaphosa’s move was influenced by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which has voiced strong opposition to the Act. In a letter to the president, Sadtu emphasized that it would not hesitate to pursue legal action or stage a strike if the government delays the implementation of these clauses any further. The union’s stance reflects its belief that the two disputed clauses are both legally sound and necessary for the improvement of South Africa’s education system.
Sadtu’s spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi, expressed the union’s frustration with the delay, asserting that the clauses are constitutional and were duly passed through the legislative process. “We believe that it had to do with political expediency,” Cembi told Newzroom Afrika. She further clarified that the delay, which came after the DA’s vocal opposition, was an attempt by Ramaphosa to appease the opposition party. “The majority in Parliament passed this for the president to sign. It cannot be that now the process goes back because of a political party that was not happy with it,” Cembi stated, indicating that the DA’s objections were the driving force behind the delay.
The two sections of the Bela Act in question deal with key issues in the education sector. Section 4 proposes to shift the responsibility of admitting pupils into public schools from school governing bodies (SGBs) to provincial departments of education. Section 5 would transfer the authority to determine a school’s language policy from SGBs to provincial departments as well. These provisions, which Sadtu supports, are seen by the union as essential for addressing inequalities in access to education, particularly in historically disadvantaged areas. The union has set a deadline of December 13 for the implementation of these clauses, and it remains determined to see them enforced.
As the deadline approaches, the controversy surrounding the Bela Act intensifies. The DA has warned that removing Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, a key figure in the party, would not be acceptable. DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau made it clear that the party has full confidence in Minister Gwarube, stating, “Nobody gets to tell the Democratic Alliance who gets to occupy that seat.” The DA’s firm stance on this issue highlights the growing political tension surrounding the Bela Act and the role of the DA within the broader government coalition.
Ramaphosa’s decision to delay the implementation of sections 4 and 5 has been met with increasing pressure from both political sides. On one hand, Sadtu and other educational bodies argue that the clauses are critical for the advancement of public education, while on the other, the DA remains steadfast in its opposition, fearing that the changes could undermine the autonomy of school governing bodies. The political divide underscores the complexity of navigating education policy within the context of South Africa’s deeply entrenched political factions.
The Bela Act, which was passed by Parliament in October 2023 and assented to by President Ramaphosa in September 2024, has sparked significant debate. While it is seen as a step forward in addressing educational disparities, its delayed implementation has become a point of contention. The president’s decision to extend the timeline for implementation of these two sections by three months, ostensibly to allow for further dialogue, has not resolved the underlying political tensions. With the deadline now looming, all eyes will be on the government to see if a resolution can be reached, or if further delays and legal challenges will follow.
