Monday, 02 December 2024

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the betrayal of democratic principles by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has once again capitulated to the demands of white supremacist interests, undermining the will of Parliament and the people. The recent agreement between the Minister of Basic Education and Solidarity, which delays the implementation of critical clauses in the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, exposes the sinister reality of who truly governs South Africa—white racist organisations like Solidarity, the Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), and AfriForum, not the elected representatives of the people.

It is unconscionable that a Bill, passed in Parliament and aimed at addressing historical injustices, has been sabotaged behind closed doors because the DA and their white supremacist allies refuse to relinquish their stranglehold on Afrikaans as a weapon of exclusion in schools. The BELA Bill sought to ensure equitable access to mother-tongue education, particularly for African languages, yet Ramaphosa undermined this progressive step through secretive negotiations with organisations dedicated to preserving white privilege.

The secret agreement, forged between Solidarity and the Department of Basic Education, stipulates that Minister Siviwe Gwarube must address the contentious points in the controversial clauses. This effectively places the future of the BELA Bill in the hands of those who seek to protect exclusionary practices. It was also agreed that schools already at capacity can no longer be compelled to change their language or admissions policies. Solidarity, citing overcrowded Afrikaans schools operating at 140% to 150% capacity, used this as a pretext to maintain the status quo, ensuring that historically privileged institutions remain untouched by transformation efforts.

Furthermore, Gwarube and her department are now required to conduct an extensive consultation process involving provincial education heads and public input before making any recommendations to Ramaphosa on altering the wording of the clauses. This process, purportedly legitimate, is nothing more than a calculated move to delay the Bill and maintain white dominance in education. According to Solidarity, the presidency’s delegation was fully authorised during the negotiations, further confirming that this betrayal was sanctioned at the highest levels of government. This underscores that the GNU is a façade, with the ANC and DA colluding to protect the interests of the privileged few.

In a desperate attempt to distance himself from the fallout, President Ramaphosa has claimed that the agreement between the Minister and Solidarity has no legal or practical bearing on the ongoing multiparty discussions regarding sections 4 and 5 of the Act. According to the presidency, Ramaphosa maintains that the ultimate decision on the commencement of these clauses still rests with him, and he awaits the outcome of the deliberations promised during the three-month consultation period. However, this weak defence is a transparent attempt to absolve himself of responsibility for a process he facilitated, demonstrating his lack of leadership and accountability.

Ramaphosa’s reiteration that the BELA Act was duly passed and that its implementation is inevitable rings hollow when the critical clauses that address exclusionary practices remain in limbo. The EFF rejects his feigned detachment, as it is clear that his administration has already caved to the demands of white supremacist organisations. His assurances are meaningless without concrete action to enforce the law in its original form, or return the Bill to the National Assembly if it is indeed not satisfactory.

With his deep seated desire to please white people by bowing to the demands of Solidarity, DA and AfriForum, Ramaphosa has not only undermined the authority of the legislative arm of government but has also signalled to South Africans that white racist interests hold more power than the democratic processes of this country. This betrayal is proof that the real power lies not with the people but with those who cling to the vestiges of apartheid through economic and cultural domination.

The African child cannot wait for endless delays and backroom deals—transformation must be implemented without further obstruction. The EFF will be taking action, including legal options, to ensure the BELA Bill be implemented in its original form, in order to protect the African child from the clutches of white supremacists and their political allies.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572