ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has declared that the party will take action against members who publicly undermine the confidence in the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.
His statements come directly following President Cyril Ramaphosa's steadfast commitment to the full enactment of the Act, announced last Friday.
Mbalula addressed the media on Saturday, emphatically stating that any discourse suggesting there is uncertainty or hesitation regarding the Act's implementation would be met with consequences.
“To those who were going around preaching as though it would not happen. Even within our ranks. There were people who were shouting on top of their voices saying BELA Act, BELA Act must be implemented. There is leadership here in this country, led by Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC. It is wrong.
Why would others speak on the sideways as though there is doubt about leadership. It is wrong. It is populist and we will act against populism in the ranks of the ANC. It is there and we are observing it,” Mbalula lashed out, affirming that such doubt within the ANC ranks is unacceptable.
The sense of urgency surrounding the BELA Act was reiterated by Mbalula, who expressed that there is no room for compromise when it comes to its full implementation.
He posed a poignant question: "Why would ANC members not have confidence that matters of this nature are being handled and driven at the political level by the leadership of the ANC?"
His remarks underline a firm expectation that ANC members should trust in the leadership's decisions, particularly in the context of educational reforms.
“Why would ANC members not have confidence that matters of this nature are being handled and driven at the political level by the leadership of the ANC. When the President decided on this matter, leadership was provided and structures were briefed. Why now do they have to go to the side lines as though there is doubt that the leadership will renege,” he added.
The BELA Act, which has faced significant opposition from within the government of national unity (GNU), found unexpected support—albeit grudging support—from the Democratic Alliance (DA). After initially resisting its implementation, the DA now praises the Act's rollout thanks to what they describe as a "win-win compromise."
DA leader John Steenhuisen responded positively to Ramaphosa's announcement, highlighting that Siviwe Gwarube, the DA's Minister of Basic Education, is overseeing the development of essential regulations to govern the Act.
Steenhuisen concluded: "Crucially, the President’s announcement on the implementation of the BELA Act makes it clear that the Minister of Basic Education...is now tasked with developing regulations as well as norms and standards that will govern the Act, including contentious sections around language and admissions."
The DA's support for Gwarube is significant as it reflects the party's ongoing commitment to uphold constitutional rights, notably the right to mother-tongue education amid political disputes.
Meanwhile, Minister Gwarube outlined the next steps for implementing the BELA Act, emphasising a timeline that envisions guidelines being distributed to public schools and provincial education departments by January 2025. Her assurance stands as a beacon of clarity in what was once a contentious atmosphere surrounding educational reforms in South Africa.
Following months of delay over two clauses dealing with language and admission policies, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the Act's full implementation on Friday with many welcoming Ramaphosa’s decision.
On Saturday, Gwarube indicated that more work needs to be done to ensure the system is fully prepared for the Act:" The system needs to kick into gear and the system is not at a place where there are certain things that can be done as of yet but the president has commenced with it. So now we are moving at pace to make sure the system catches up with the announcement.“
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995.