A significant breakthrough has been achieved in the ongoing efforts by Solidarity, AfriForum, and the Solidarity Support Centre for Schools (SCS) to challenge two contentious sections of the BELA Act, recently signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. After sustained lobbying by these groups, the President has decided to reopen sections 4 and 5 of the Act for further discussion, delaying their immediate implementation.
This decision is being hailed as a victory for Afrikaans communities, who have been concerned about the impact of these sections on school governance. While the organisations would have preferred the BELA Act not to be signed at all, they welcome the President’s decision to revisit these provisions and view it as a tactical win.
The President’s announcement follows a late-night meeting between Solidarity, AfriForum, and Ramaphosa, during which the groups urged him to reconsider the implementation of the controversial sections. Sections 4 and 5 grant provincial education officials final authority over school admissions and language policies, potentially allowing them to override decisions made by individual school governing bodies. This could also involve taking broader district demographics into account when determining language policies.
The organisations are encouraged by the proposal for further discussions over the next three months, giving them time to engage in meaningful dialogue. They also call on the public to continue supporting their campaigns against these sections, which they believe would undermine Afrikaans schools and their communities.
Solidarity CEO Dirk Hermann noted that this breakthrough was made possible by the persistent efforts of ordinary citizens. However, he emphasized that the fight is far from over and that if no changes are made to the Act, the organisations are prepared to take legal action. “This is just a tactical victory. The pressure is only beginning to mount,” Hermann stated.
Alana Bailey, head of cultural affairs at AfriForum, echoed this sentiment, warning that the threat remains. She emphasized AfriForum’s readiness to oppose these sections of the BELA Act at both national and international levels if necessary. The organisations remain committed to protecting the interests of Afrikaans schools, stressing that the government should first address the issue of inadequate school infrastructure before imposing additional controls on school governance.
