Team established to deal with BELA Act concerns

The Government of National Unity (GNU) clearing house mechanism has formed a task team to address concerns raised by various parties regarding the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.

This comes after leaders met on Wednesday to discuss the issue of the Act, which has two clauses that have been the centre of concern by some members of the signatories of the statement of intent of the GNU.

According to the Deputy President’s Office, the meeting was attended by most parties that participate in this structure. 

“The meeting noted the need to resolve the matter within the three months that President Cyril Ramaphosa has allocated.

“After an extensive engagement, the clearing house mechanism agreed on the establishment of a small team to work on the concerns as raised by some parties.” 

The team comprises Deputy Minister Andries Nel; Dr Cornelius Mulder from the Freedom Front Plus; Brett Herron from the GOOD Party; Helen Zille from the Democratic Alliance, and Mdumiseni Ntuli from the African National Congress. 

In September, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Bill into law but delayed by three months the implementation of clauses 4 and 5, which deal with school admissions and language, to make room for more discussion and deliberations after it received some opposition.

According to the Deputy President’s Office, the team has since been given two weeks to work and report to the clearing house mechanism. 

“The meeting also agreed on the need to put party-political interests aside and find a solution to benefit all South African people.” 

The GNU clearing house mechanism was established by President Ramaphosa last month to address policy disagreements within the 10-member GNU, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, regarding policy agreements and other disputes. – SAnews.gov.za