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By Thapelo Molefe
The EFF has lashed out at President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration for delaying the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act.
In a strongly worded statement, the EFF accused the government of bowing to pressure from right-wing groups, including the Democratic Alliance and AfriForum, to hinder progressive reforms in South Africa’s education system.
The Act seeks to centralise control over school admissions and language policies.
Clauses 4 and 5 of the Act deal transfer decision-making power from School Governing Bodies to provincial Heads of Departments, a move aimed at fostering inclusivity in schools.
These changes, however, have faced opposition from groups the EFF claims are working to preserve “Afrikanerdom” within the education sector.
The implementation of the contentious clauses was postponed by three months to allow for further consultations.
The EFF claims the delay was politically motivated, aimed at appeasing the DA and other conservative elements within the Government of National Unity (GNU). The EFF is not a member of the GNU.
The party also condemned the GNU’s clearing house mechanism, saying it enabled the African National Congress and DA to revise laws behind closed doors.
EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said it undermined democratic processes and compromised the integrity of legislation.
“The clearing of house mechanism of the GNU is not a democratic or oversight instrument other and therefore holds no legal jurisdiction to review the laws which are adopted by the of the National Assembly nor is it established by any provision of the Constitution of South Africa,” she said in a statement.
“It is a collaboration of political parties which have assigned ministerial positions to each National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.”
The EFF raised concerns about alleged compromises made during private negotiations, warning that these could dilute the transformative goals of the Bela Act.
The EFF also cautioned Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube against obstructing the Act’s implementation. The minister is in charge of putting systems and regulations in place to ensue that the law is implemented in its entirety.
The party demanded severe consequences for the minister, including possible removal, should delays persist.
“Should there be any prolonged and politically motivated delay, the Minister of Basic Education must face severe consequences,” Mathys said.
The EFF has further accused the ANC of abandoning progressive policies to preserve its alliance with right-wing groups in the GNU coalition.
The party argued that the delays in implementing the Bela Act reflected a broader pattern of governance undermined by political expediency.
“The ANC has shown that it is willing to sacrifice transformative legislation to appease its coalition partners, undermining the very democracy it claims to uphold,” said Mathys.
Despite these setbacks, the EFF pledged to continue supporting progressive legislation while scrutinising any compromises that could weaken the Act’s objectives.
“The education of our children should never be subjected to petty electioneering or the appeasement of reactionary forces,” she said.
Gwarube warned over the weekend that the law must not be used as a political football, and has announced deadlines to implement parts of the Act.
INSIDE EDUCATION