By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has clarified the position of the Government of National Unity (GNU) regarding the Basic Education Amendment Laws (Bela) Act, following agreements involving the Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Solidarity Union.
Gwarube entered into a bilateral agreement with trade union, Solidarity, to present their recommendations on the Act to the president.
These recommendations relate specifically to the two contentious clauses of the bill which relate to admissions and language policies at individual schools.
Gwarube is under mounting pressure from several political parties to implement the rest of the act signed into law in September while negotiations on these clauses are underway.
The two agreements have been reached through the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) after Solidarity declared a dispute with the minister.
In her agreement with Solidarity, Gwarube has pledged to appeal to the president not to implement clauses 4 and 5 of the bill until regulations are put in place that will require the provincial head of department to take a number of factors into account before exercising authority over these sections.
The agreement further says the controversial sections in the Bill will no longer be implemented on December 13.
According to Mashatile, the process involved only one party from the GNU, acting independently of the formal procedures agreed upon by the parties and signatories.
Mashatile says the GNU and its representative parties remain committed to completing the sanctioned process for deliberating on the BELA Act, which is expected to conclude soon.
“We call on all parties that signed the Statement of Intent to uphold their commitments and cooperate with the official process,” said the Deputy President.
The Deputy President emphasized the central role of Parliament and the Presidency in enacting laws such as the BELA Act, stressing that no external interventions should undermine these key institutions.
Mashatile reassured GNU parties that mechanisms are in place to address the situation collectively and seek a harmonious resolution.
He confirmed that representatives from the GNU Clearing House Mechanism will soon receive official communication detailing the next meeting, where recommendations from the Sub-committee will be presented.
The GNU Clearing House Mechanism was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September for the purposes of resolving policy disagreements within the 10-member GNU. Mashatile oversees the Clearing House Mechanism in his capacity as Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
The Deputy President urged all stakeholders to maintain the integrity of the process and reaffirmed the commitment to a transparent and inclusive resolution.