Vice President Paul Mashatil said that after months of deliberation and consultation, the President will soon clarify the fate of the BELA bill. (Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce a decision on the controversial Education Law Amendment (Bera) Act after the Government of National Unity (GNU) clearing house concluded discussions on the issue on Thursday, his deputy Paul Mashatil said. He made the announcement on Friday.
This follows months of deliberation over the law, which attracted both strong support and fierce opposition because of its implications for school admissions and language policy.
Mashatil addressed delegates at the South African Communist Party (SACP)'s fifth special national conference in Boksburg on Friday, calling the law an important part of advancing the ANC's broader transformation agenda. said.
Passed by the Democratic Parliament on October 26, 2023, and signed into law by President Ramaphosa on September 13 this year, the Bera Law is set to enter into force to allow for further consultation on two controversial provisions. It was postponed for three months.
The delay in implementation of parts of the law was intended to create space for meaningful dialogue between the parties. During the consultation period, stakeholders were encouraged to submit proposals to address disputes over sections 4 and 5 of the Act, which deal with admission procedures and language policy.
The three-month grace period ended on Friday, December 13th.
Articles 4 and 5 are intended to address historical inequalities in South Africa's education system, but have also provoked fierce resistance from groups advocating language and cultural preservation.
A coalition of trade unions threatened legal action against the law, while the ANC and its left-wing allies urged Ramaphosa to resist pressure to dilute the reform provisions.
Mashatil, chairman of the clearinghouse responsible for dispute resolution, confirmed that the consultation period ended on Thursday.
“The president gave stakeholders three months to express their concerns and propose solutions. That period has ended and a report has been submitted to him,” Mashatil said. .
He said Prime Minister Ramaphosa would announce next steps “soon” but did not give a timing.
Mr Mashatil said the National Health Insurance Act, which, like Vera's law, is polarizing, forms part of the ANC's broader strategy to address structural inequalities and ensure fair access to essential services. He said that
“These policies are essential to our vision of a national democratic society,” he said, adding that the push for innovative policies was rejected by the ANC's partners in the coalition government.
“It is clear that there will be significant opposition to transformative legislation, but we remain steadfast in our efforts to ensure these progressive policies are implemented.”
Mashatil's comments came amid mounting criticism of the ANC's approach to governing within the national unity government formed after it lost its parliamentary majority in the May 29 general election.
GNU faces criticism from the ANC's alliance partners the SACP and labor federation Cosatu, who say it is diluting the party's socialist principles. At the SACP meeting, delegates expressed their dissatisfaction through anti-GNU chants, claiming that the ANC was promoting right-wing interests.
In response to these criticisms, Mr Mashatil insisted that the ANC was fully committed to its transformative goals.
“We have decided to use GNU strategically to continue advancing the struggle for a national democratic society as envisioned in the Freedom Charter,” he said.
He encouraged unity among alliance partners and emphasized the importance of cooperation in achieving common objectives.
“We must ensure that progressive policies move forward and are effectively implemented,” he said, considering criticism of the ANC, which has seen it lose its majority for the first time in 30 years. he added.
“We take these things to heart. The broader community is calling on the president to sign this bill and implement it. It won't take long for an announcement,” Mashatil said. Ta. “We must work together to build a united South Africa and we must not let anything stop us from achieving our common goals.”
The vice president said that while forming the GNU was not ideal, it was the best strategy for the ANC, which had lost its majority.
“But for now, we are determined to use this system to help us continue moving forward in our struggle to achieve the national democratic society envisioned in the Freedom Charter,” he said.
“We pay our respects to those who have been imprisoned and will continue to work for the unity of our alliance. I can say without fear of contradiction that the ANC will never betray our people, especially the poor and working class. is.”
On Thursday, ANC Gauteng provincial chairman and provincial premier Panyaza Lesufi said “betrayal is not an option” on the issue of Bera Law.
“We urge the President to do one thing and one thing only: allow Vera Law to take effect without further delay. It is now time for the cowards to step aside and the brave It's time to leave those behind and move on,” he said.
“It is precisely in times like these that we need to strengthen our forces. It is precisely in times like these that we hope to form strong and agile alliances. We are not children of cowards. We are children of the mighty; if you touch us, you will die. [we can defend ourselves]”
