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South Africa – Amid concerns and speculation that the Democratic Alliance might withdraw from the Government of National Unity if President Cyril Ramaphosa signs the controversial Bela Bill into law tomorrow, DA Leader John Steenhuisen affirmed the party’s commitment to remaining part of the GNU.
However, in a recent speech, he stressed that they would not compromise on policies or issues that endanger the South African Constitution or the nation’s interests.
“Our first instinct inside the GNU will always be to find common ground in the interest of South Africa. We have already proved this. We are working hand-in-hand with the ANC on every initiative that will take South Africa forward, and there is a long list of overlapping policies we have agreed on.”
“But what we will not do is shy away from conflict when we are confronted with serious and lasting damage to our country or to the Constitution that underpins our democracy.”
The DA, alongside several members within the GNU and various civil society organisations, has consistently opposed the Bela Bill in its current form, arguing that it undermines children’s rights to mother-tongue education and shifts power away from parents and local school governing bodies.
While the DA’s concerns surrounding the Bela Bill are few, they are nonetheless significant. Should the President sign the Bill in Pretoria tomorrow, Steenhuisen cautioned that the party would need to explore different options to challenge it.
“We do not believe the President should sign BELA into law tomorrow. Among other issues, we believe the Bill compromises the rights of children to mother-tongue education. That is why I met the President yesterday. I hope we will find a common way forward.”
“If we can find those solutions collaboratively, we would be delighted. If we can’t, we will pursue the interests of the South African people through every other legal means at our disposal.”
Regarding the conflict of ideologies around specific policies, the DA acknowledges that disagreements within a multi-party government are normal and essential to a democratic society. However, this does not imply that every conflict fundamentally threatens the GNU.
Steenhuisen clarified that the DA would only contemplate leaving the multi-party government under extreme circumstances.
“If the ANC in government sought to compromise the Constitution, undermine the independence of key institutions like the Reserve Bank or do away with property rights, we will have no part in it. The DA can never in good conscience be a party to an assault on the Constitution. And so, the DA will not crash the government unless the government is crashing the economy or trashing the Constitution.”
Support for the Bela Bill
While some parties within the GNU oppose the Bela Bill, others, including political parties and civil organisations, support it and are calling for the President to sign it tomorrow. They believe the BELA Bill will introduce crucial reforms to the education system by standardising policies across schools and ensuring fair access to resources.
Supporters argue that the Bill allows the government to address educational disparities and foster inclusivity, particularly for marginalised communities.
In a post on X, the Economic Freedom Fighters stated, “The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill introduces a suite of amendments to address systematic inequalities of basic education in South Africa. The DA is vehemently opposed to the Bill because of its inherent hatred of the African Child.”
Similarly, the MK Party expressed its support for the Bela Bill, describing it as “a crucial step toward advancing inclusive and quality education for all South African learners. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the BELA Bill. It must be signed into law.”
However, DA National Spokesperson Willie Aucamp urged the President to refrain from yielding to pressure from organisations aligned with the ANC and non-GNU parties. Though the DA has threatened to explore all legal avenues, Aucamp noted that the party would prefer not to pursue such measures between partners and would instead use the mechanisms that were created for such situations.
“To put the GNU under the pressure that he has done with regards to unilaterally announcing that he will sign this Bill is unacceptable. The ANC does not have the majority anymore … It is therefore important for them to now respect the views of other parties within the GNU.”
