A senior African National Congress (ANC) official has called on ministers in South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) to respect President Cyril Ramaphosa’s authority, following a controversial bill signing ceremony.
ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa expressed concern over Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube’s absence from the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill last Friday.
Speaking at a memorial service for late minister Pravin Gordhan, Ramokgopa said: “We watched with concern at the signing of the BELA Bill the absence of the relevant minister.”
She added: “We would like to remind all the ministers that our Constitution accords executive authority and power to the president of the country.”
The incident has highlighted tensions within the GNU. Gwarube, a member of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), did not attend the bill signing ceremony. She stated she remains opposed to the bill and had asked Ramaphosa to refer it back to Parliament for reconsideration.
President Ramaphosa signed the BELA Bill but delayed implementation of two controversial clauses. These clauses relate to school governing bodies’ control over language and admissions policies, which have been a point of contention. Several organisations, including the DA, have objected to these provisions.
The BELA Bill aims to strengthen school management processes and make Grade R compulsory. However, its provisions on language and admission policies have proven divisive among political parties and educational organisations.
This disagreement highlights the challenges facing South Africa’s GNU, formed after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in recent elections. Ramokgopa acknowledged the difficulties, saying: “We were never under any illusion that this was going to be a bed of roses.”
She emphasized the need for GNU partners to work together and avoid public disagreements, stating: “It does not help us to have public spats.”
As the GNU navigates these early challenges, many South Africans are watching closely to see how the coalition balances diverse political interests while addressing the country’s pressing educational issues.
The controversy surrounding the BELA Bill and Gwarube’s absence from the signing ceremony underscores the delicate balance the GNU must maintain between respecting the president’s authority and accommodating the diverse views of its coalition partners.
