SADTU rejects the anti-transformation bilateral agreement on the BELA act
29 November 2024
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) rejects the so-called bilateral agreement on the Basic Education Amendment Laws (BELA) Act reached between Basic Education Minister, Solidariteit and AfriForum at NEDLAC.
We will not allow racists organizations to insult our liberation struggles. Apartheid used language and education to oppress and discriminate against the black majority. History is repeating itself as the beneficiaries of colonial apartheid are again using language and education to discriminate against the black majority by blocking the Bela Act.
The 1976 Uprising which is known as June 16 saw our students being murdered by a racist regime which imposed Afrikaans as the language of instruction against the indigenous languages. This so-called bilateral agreement wants to entrench the ‘separate but equal’ apartheid policy where schools must be exclusively for Afrikaans despite the changing demographics and the non-racial principles of the South African constitution.
The minister has once again proven herself to be a useful tool for anti-transformation and a suitcase carrier of the racists in this country. She has never consulted the biggest union in education ever since her appointment but preferred to sign with a non-representative group of white unions to reverse transformation.
She has declared war on SADTU and the African majority whose children are being discriminated by racists school governing bodies. She failed in respecting and promoting the Constitution of our country and she must therefore be ready for the real fight on the Bela-Act.
The President’s decision to sign the law while excluding certain sections is unprecedented, illegal and sets a dangerous precedent of undermining due process. This act reflects cowardice and strategic confusion, posing a serious threat to our transformation agenda.
The white supremacists must never be allowed to use the department of education to practice their racism. The resurgence of the right wing since the 29th of May should be stopped with immediate effect.
All schools must respect all laws and the Constitution of our country, including the right of our children to access education at any school without barriers created through language policies.
SADTU is preparing to challenge this right-wing agenda at all platforms whenever racism rears its ugly head. Our generation has a historical mission to oppose racism in all forms.
We call on all our members in schools, districts, circuits, National office of the Department of Basic Education (Sol Plaatjie) and all provincial head offices to be ready for the war against racism and the minister.
We call on all MECs to convene a press conference to reject this racist agreement and announce plans to implement the Act with immediate effect. This must happen on the 13th of December 2024. All Premiers must ensure that the MECs and departments put in place implementation plans because no bilateral agreement can supersede the law.
Issued by Nomusa Cembi, Media Officer, NUMSA, 29 November 2024
