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Solidarity Movement Secures Key Concessions in BELA Act Settlement with Government

Published November 29, 2024
2 months ago

In a pivotal development within South African education and language policy, the Solidarity Movement, incorporating entities such as Solidarity and AfriForum, has successfully negotiated a settlement with the Government at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) regarding the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. This settlement marks a significant turn in the contentious dialogue surrounding the implementation of certain sections of the BELA Act, originally poised to commence on December 13.





The agreement reached stipulates that schools operating at full capacity will retain their current language and admissions policies until new norms, standards, and policies are established. These guidelines will take into closer consideration the demographic and linguistic layout of the immediate environments or feeding zones of schools rather than overarching educational district mandates. This localized approach aims to protect schools from top-down directives that may not align with their specific community needs and conditions.


The settlement emerged from multifaceted negotiations involving representatives from Solidarity, the Presidency, and the Minister of Basic Education, among other political entities. The process was an intricate tapestry of dialogues, including interventions with President Cyril Ramaphosa, interactions with major political parties, civic marches, and discussions with traditional leaders. Solidarity’s Chief Executive, Dr. Dirk Hermann, emphasized that although this settlement is a landmark achievement, it denotes the beginning of further rigorous discussions and potential legislative refinements geared towards reinforcing educational autonomy at local levels.


A crucial aspect of the settlement is the affirmation of the ministerial and presidential roles concerning the BELA Act. The settlement delineates that the President’s role is to endorse and inaugurate the provisions of the Act, while the primary responsibility of ensuring its appropriate implementation rests with the Minister of Basic Education.


Campaigns led by AfriForum and supported by a robust public advocacy highlighted the potential threats the initial provisions of the BELA Act posed to mother-tongue education, particularly for the Afrikaans community, but also broadly impacting all cultural groups seeking to preserve their linguistic heritage. Kallie Kriel, AfriForum’s CEO, acknowledged the significant community and leadership backing that catalyzed this positive outcome.


The consensus reached at Nedlac not only defers the immediate implementation of contentious language policy changes but also sets the stage for further enriching the discourse on mother-tongue education across diverse South African communities. This settlement is thus celebrated as a victory that extends beyond the interests of the Solidarity Movement and its affiliates, presenting a promising horizon for the nation’s educational strategy and cultural preservation.


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