Ramaphosa Signs Controversial BELA Bill Amidst Backlash and Legal Challenges
President Cyril Ramaphosa faced fierce opposition as he signed the contentious Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law on September 13 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The move, seen as a capitulation to pressure from the SA Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and COSATU, has sparked widespread debate and legal challenges.
Ramaphosa’s decision to enact the BELA Bill, while suspending two controversial clauses for three months, has drawn criticism for allegedly favouring ANC interests over the broader concerns of South Africans. Critics argue that the Bill rushed through parliament without adequate public consultation, aims to consolidate state control over education, diminishing the authority of parents and School Governing Bodies (SGBs).
The President’s claim that the Bill seeks to improve South Africa’s education system has been met with scepticism. Education in the country consistently ranks poorly in international assessments, with concerns raised about declining standards in science, mathematics, and literacy. Opponents of the BELA Bill accuse the ANC of pushing a Marxist ideological agenda under the guise of educational reform.
Legal challenges against the BELA Bill are mounting, with the DA indicating its intention to challenge the law’s constitutionality in court. The Pestalozzi Trust, alongside Solidarity and other organisations, has committed substantial resources to oppose the legislation, citing threats to parental rights and democratic principles.
