The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s second-largest political party, has signalled its growing dissatisfaction with the coalition government, warning that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impending endorsement of an education reform bill could undermine the fragile alliance. This marks the first significant tension since the African National Congress (ANC) and DA, along with smaller parties, formed a unity government following the ANC’s loss of parliamentary dominance in the May elections.
In a pointed statement, DA leader John Steenhuisen expressed grave concerns over the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) bill, slated for presidential assent this Friday. Steenhuisen described the legislation as a breach of the core agreements that underpinned the formation of the government of national unity (GNU), hinting that the bill’s approval could have “destructive implications” for the coalition’s future. However, he refrained from elaborating on potential consequences.
The controversial bill seeks to extend governmental control over school admissions and language policies, sparking heated debate over issues of racial integration in education. The ANC contends that the reforms will combat entrenched racial exclusion in schools, where language has often served as a proxy for racial discrimination. The DA, however, argues that school governing bodies should retain the right to dictate language policies, defending mother-tongue instruction as a constitutional right.
Much of the opposition to the bill has emanated from South Africa’s white Afrikaans-speaking population, who perceive the reforms as a threat to Afrikaans-medium schools. Interest groups such as AfriForum have raised alarms about the potential erosion of Afrikaans as a language of instruction. While the bill does not specifically target any language group, its provisions have been met with fierce resistance from these communities.
Steenhuisen is expected to provide further clarity on the DA’s position and the party’s role within the unity government in a press conference scheduled for Thursday in Cape Town.
The presidency has remained tight-lipped on the matter, with neither ANC representatives nor Ramaphosa’s office offering immediate comment.
