AfriForum says Mbeki report on GDE’s political interference at PHSG proves necessity of opposition to Bela Act

14 October 2024 

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation’s report, sent on 10 October 2024 by former president Mbeki to Gauteng’s MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, condemns the interference of the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) at Pretoria High School for Girls (PHSG) in the strongest terms. In the former president’s letter to Chiloane, he criticises, among other things, that the Department had already intervened before there had even been any prima facie proof of racism at the school. Furthermore, he refers to the events as an “unfortunate episode” and emphasises the danger of sowing division between communities and stifling healthy debate.

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s head of Cultural Affairs, the GDE has been notorious for years for overreacting to untested allegations against functional schools, while little is disclosed about actions against dysfunctional schools in the province. “The department likes to incite communities against each other and use schools and children as political pawns, instead of focusing on quality education and offering support to teaching staff and governing bodies. One of the most destructive consequences of this is that excellent teachers and principals cannot cope with the constant pressure and retire early or bid the education sector farewell.”

Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, says that the GDE’s actions at PHSG once again prove that Premier Panyaza Lesufi, MEC Chiloane and the GDE are bullies who want dictatorial control over schools, to the detriment of children, parents and the powers of governing bodies. This is another reason why AfriForum opposes the parts of the Bela Act that grant draconian powers to Lesufi and his ideologically-driven team.

AfriForum calls on the public to take part in the march against the Bela Act which will take place on 5 November 2024 from 09:00 from the Voortrekker Monument to Freedom Park in Pretoria. Information and registration forms are available at www.belaprotes.co.za.

Issued by Alana Bailey, Head: Cultural Affairs, AfriForum, 14 October 2024