Solidarity, AfriForum and the SOS welcome tactical breakthrough about Bela
13 September 2024
A tactical breakthrough was made this morning in Solidarity, AfriForum and the Solidarity Support Centre for Schools’ (SCS) fight against two objectionable sections in the BELA Act which was just signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
After sustained pressure, President Ramaphosa decided to open sections 4 and 5 of this Act for further discussion and therefore not to implement it immediately.
This is something that these organisations consider a win for Afrikaans communities. This serves as proof that public pressure can succeed. Although these organisations would prefer Bela not be signed at all, they nevertheless welcome President Ramaphosa’s decision and consider it a tactical breakthrough.
The president’s announcement in this regard follows Solidarity and AfriForum’s conversation with the president until late at night yesterday (Thursday) where they requested him not to implement these offending articles.
These sections determine that the Head of the provincial Department of Education will have the final say on schools’ acceptance and language policies. A state official will therefore be able to veto the school’s governing body and, among other things, be able to take into account the demographics of the larger education district with the application of these relevant sections.
]Another conversation took place this morning with the President in good spirit in which he announced to the organisations himself of his intention to review these sections.
The government has consequently proposed three months for discussion and negotiation in which an alternative solution can be found.
According to Dr Dirk Hermann, chief executive of Solidarity, this breakthrough was made possible thanks to the sustained pressure of ordinary people and similar support will be needed in the coming weeks.
“This is simply a tactical victory, but the battle is nowhere near won. The pressure is just beginning to build. If there are no changes, Solidarity, AfriForum and the SCS will continue with our court action. We are not going to lower the pressure,” said Hermann.
Alana Bailey, head of cultural affairs at AfriForum, said the danger had not yet been fully averted.
“Our position remains that those sections of Bela will have devastating consequences for Afrikaans schools and children if they are implemented and AfriForum therefore remains ready to oppose them on all possible national and international platforms,” said Bailey.
Leon Fourie, chief executive of the SCS, said the state cannot capture Afrikaans schools while they are not fulfilling their obligation to build enough schools.
“Our schools are institutions to which our community is emotionally connected. It’s not just places where transfer of knowledge and skills development take place. These are cultural spaces where values are passed on to our children and future generations,” said Fourie.
The President’s proposal regarding discussions in the next three months about these relevant sections is welcomed and Solidarity, AfriForum and the SCS look forward to the opportunity to participate in it. They also encourage the public to continue to support their campaigns against it.
Issued by Dirk Hermann, Chief Executive Officer, Solidarity, 13 September 2024
