The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Satu) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's direction for Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwalbe to immediately fully implement the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA Act).
This follows a decision by the Congressional Clearinghouse, in which all parties agreed that the BELA Act should not be sent back to Congress to change the disputed portions.
Sadhu spokesperson Nomsa Chembi said she was confident the law would be challenged in court if it was challenged.
“We believe that these sections were established to advance the transformation of education in South Africa, and that they build on previous Constitutional Court judgments handed down on school admissions and language policies. Therefore, these provisions were consistent with previous court decisions. We believe these provisions will stand the test of time.”
President Ramaphosa today signed a presidential proclamation implementing the law.
“Participants of the Clearing House of the Government of National Unity agreed that this law should be fully implemented. This view was supported by the meeting I held today with the leaders of the GNU States Parties. Therefore, I have told them that I will move forward with signing a presidential proclamation to implement the Basic Education Law Amendment Act, or BELA Act, starting today.”
