BELA Act does not undermine rights to mother tongue education: DA

President Cyril Ramaphosa signs into law the BELA Bill on September 13, 2024.

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has described the outcome of negotiations on two clauses of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act as a compromise among all parties in the government of national unity (GNU).

Yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the full implementation of the Act following the three-month negotiations.

DA National Spokesperson and MP, Willie Aucamp says the act does not undermine people’s constitutional rights to mother tongue education.

Aucamp says, “The DA’s Siviwe Gwarube is now tasked with developing regulations as well as norms and standards that will govern the Act, including contentious sections around language and admissions.”

“We have full confidence in Minister Gwarube’s ability to introduce fit-for-purpose guidelines that will protect school autonomy from subversion. The fact that a sober-minded DA minister is tasked with this critical work is a vindication of the DA’s role in the GNU as the champion of constitutional rights, including the right to mother-tongue education.”