As the deadline approaches for the implementation of the divisive sections of the the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act, the Democratic Alliance has warned the African National Congress that removing Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube from the national department is not an option.
“Two things – on the firing of Minister Gwarube, they must try. The basic education ministry is a Democratic Alliance ministry. Nobody gets to tell the Democratic Alliance who gets to occupy that seat,” said DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau.
“The DA has decided that we have 100% in Minister Gwarube to stay in that position. She hasn’t broken any law, she hasn’t done anything that makes us question her integrity and her capacity to lead that ministry. So, that won’t change. They must try."
The Bela Act was passed by Parliament in October 2023, and it was assented to by President Cyril Ramaphosa at Union Buildings on September 13, 2024.
However, the implementation of sections 4 and 5 were delayed by Ramaphosa, for three months, to allow for multi-party discussions and proposals on resolving disputes raised on the specific sections.
A key provision of the Act, Sections 4 and 5 on Bela Act clarifies the roles of school governing bodies (SGBs) and provincial heads of departments regarding admissions and language policies.
These provisions aim to correct historical inequalities where language and admissions policies were often used to exclude black learners.
The deadline to resolve the salient matters is Friday.
On Tuesday, Khakhau told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that the reported speculation about Ramaphosa potentially removing Gwarube from the department will not work.
“On what will happen if (sections) four and five are enacted, then the constitutionality of this decisions must be tested in the court of law," Khakhau said.
As a party that is a constitutionalist party, a party that is pro the rule of law, we will do everything in our power — even outside of our GNU (Government of National Unity) — to protect South Africans if we must, to use the third arm of the State, the judiciary to test this. We are not going to just roll over and then die."
DA has hit back at speculation that its member, Gwarube, could lose her job as tensions continue to simmer around the Bela Act.
On Sunday, newspaper reports suggested that President Cyril Ramaphosa is under intense pressure from within his African National Congress (ANC) to fire Gwarube who — in accordance with her party position — is openly opposed to the implementation.
On Tuesday, IOL reported that Gwarube said there are several positive aspects within the polarising Bela Act, adding that the new piece of legislation is certainly going to be implemented in South Africa.
Weekend newspaper reports suggested that Ramaphosa was under intense pressure from within his ANC to fire Gwarube who – in accordance with her party position — is openly opposed to the implementation of the Bela Act.
However, in an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Gwarube said the conversations in South Africa about the new law has unfortunately been characterised by very polarising views.
“The reality here is that the Bela Act is going to be implemented in its entirety. The only difference is how then do we stagger the implementation so that we can have regulations in place that can give effect to each and every section of the Act. The negotiations that are going on in the GNU, that is within the purview of the president.
“On my side, I am committed to making sure we implement Bela, particularly those sections that have not been postponed for commencement. There are some good aspects to the Act, things like making Grade R compulsory and I believe if we start to really enforce and focus on the foundation phase, things like matric results will take care of themselves.”
The minister said poor black learners have had the short end of the stick in South Africa, and the DA has no intention to block them from certain schools.
She also told the television channel that she does not regret participating in the engagements at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) with members from Solidarity.
IOL