SADTU is calling for the immediate implementation of the entire BELA Act

October 25, 2024

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), representing more than two thirds of the teachers and education workers, and the working class that called for and welcomed the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA Act) cannot be at the mercy of the DA and its deployee, the Minister of Basic Education.

The signed Act must be implemented effectively from the date of signing – 13 September 2024 – by the State President.

We, accordingly, call upon the Minister of Basic Education, MEC’s and the Department of Education, School Governing Bodies and School Management to implement the signed Act in its entirety (inclusive of clauses 4 and 5) with immediate effect. The suspension of the clauses was unlawful and must just be ignored. Admission policies and language were used to deny many to access some schools. They cannot be allowed to continue to do 30 years post the democratic breakthrough.

Transformation is non-negotiable and all our members are called upon to be vigilant and report any resistance by any official or any school management to the Union so that the Union can take such intransigent officials to court to explain why the Act cannot be implemented.

Let us be clear to the President that SADTU will not tolerate any provocation by the Minister of Basic Education on this matter. The President must take action against the Minister for defying him during the signing ceremony and if he fails, he must allow SADTU to remove the Minister out of her office, and if the DA wants to leave the GNU, they should do so without delay.

We cannot allow our transformation agenda to be derailed by agreements between the President and the DA. We are warning the President not to take us for granted. We fought against racism, and discrimination and any secret agreement to reintroduce white supremacy will be met with fierce resistance.

Apartheid architects used education to entrench white supremacy and having a Minister who serves a racist organisation like the DA is bound to promote white privileges and protect the interests at the expense of the majority.

We call upon COSAS and all progressive organisations to stand firm on the Act and prepare for a mother of all battles against white supremacy in this country.

Statement issued by SADTU, 25 October 2024