“I’ll implement the BELA Act” – Siviwe Gwarube

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has sought to assure the nation that she will ensure that the Basic the Basic Education Amendments Laws (BELA) Act, is fully implemented.This after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his intention to sign a Presidential Proclamation that will bring the Act into operation, immediately. Gwarube has also been criticised by some stakeholders, especially the South African Democratic Teachers Union and Congress of South African Trade Union, for her stance on the Act. The minister was briefing the media in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.“I want to make it abundantly clear that this Act will be implemented, and its implementation will be led by me. This implementation will be done in a manner that protects the rights of all our children and all our schools from victimisation in any form, and at all times. Pursuant to this, I have instructed my team to immediately develop guidelines that will be sent to all public schools and provincial education departments by the end of January 2025,” said Gwarube. In addition, the minister said these guidelines will support School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and provincial education departments to implement certain sections of the Act. She adds the process is important for harmony and clarity in the sector. “Furthermore, I have instructed the Department of Basic Education to continue with pace the process of developing draft regulations, norms and standards; and policy that will inform the implementation of this Act. I want these to be published for public comment within the next six months, taking us to June 2025. Public participation is an important step in the law, making process; giving South Africans an opportunity to make their voices heard and ensuring that they make inputs in the implementation of this Act,” explained Gwarube.The minister stressed that she’ll not allow political parties and unions to use the BELA Act as a political football. “Much has been said about this piece of legislation and at times it has regrettably been used as a political football. I now want to make it clear that the time for that is over. I will not tolerate any weaponizing of this legislation for political means. The future of this country and our learners depends on us doing our work,” warned Gwarube. The minister highlighted that the department is ready for any legal challenges, after stakeholders that were opposed to sections 4 and 5 hinted that they’ll “asses the constitutional validity of the legislation.”