By Thabo Mosia
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have condemned the protest against the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, labelling it as “treason” and a blatant attempt to maintain racial discrimination in South Africa’s education system.
The demonstration, organised by the Democratic Alliance (DA), AfriForum, and Freedom Front Plus (FF+), aimed to challenge the Act, which the EFF argues is essential for promoting inclusivity and ending the marginalisation of African learners.
The BELA Act has ignited fierce debate across South Africa, with supporters asserting that it will foster equality in education, while opponents claim it threatens parental control and cultural heritage within schools. The protest, which took place at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, saw participants voicing strong opposition to the Act’s provisions on language and school governance. The EFF, however, views this protest as a direct affront to the progress made towards an inclusive and fair education system.
Background on the BELA Act
The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2024, is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at reforming South Africa’s education sector. At its core, the Act seeks to address historical inequalities by standardising admissions processes and promoting multilingualism in public schools. The EFF has championed the Act, viewing it as a critical tool to prevent the exclusion of African learners based on language policies that, according to the party, often favour Afrikaans-speaking students in suburban and private schools.
Key provisions of the BELA Act include:
1. Standardised Admissions - The Act grants the Department of Basic Education authority over school admissions policies, aiming to ensure fair access and prevent selective admissions that could perpetuate inequality.
2. Inclusive Language Policy - The Act requires schools to adopt a more inclusive approach to language use, supporting multilingual instruction to serve a broader demographic of learners and prevent language-based exclusion.EFF’s Statement on the Protest
In a strongly worded statement, EFF National Spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys condemned the protest as “nauseating” and labelled it as “treason.” Mathys argued that the DA, AfriForum, and FF+ are motivated by a “white supremacist, apartheid mentality” that seeks to preserve exclusive privileges within the education system.
“The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemns the nauseating demonstration by the Democratic Alliance (DA) together with right wingers such as AfriForum, Freedom Front Plus (FF+) against the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act which seeks to encourage the language policy to be broader and inclusive, thus bringing an end to the marginalisation of African learners,” Mathys said in the statement.
The EFF claims that certain groups, including School Governing Bodies (SGBs), have weaponised Afrikaans to limit access for non-Afrikaans speaking learners. The BELA Act, according to the EFF, is a necessary intervention to dismantle these barriers and ensure that every learner has equal access to quality education.
DA and AfriForum’s Position
The DA, supported by AfriForum and other groups, has voiced staunch opposition to the BELA Act, arguing that it infringes on parental rights and reduces the autonomy of school governing bodies. DA Federal Leader John Steenhuisen argued at the protest that the Act gives “too much control” to the state, especially concerning language and admissions policies.
“The constitution is clear—everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice. These hard-fought rights enshrined in our constitution cannot simply be given away at the stroke of a pen,” Steenhuisen stated. The DA and AfriForum argue that local communities and parents, rather than provincial officials, should have the authority to determine their children’s educational environment.
Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, echoed these concerns, warning that the BELA Act “targets Afrikaans schools” and threatens the cultural integrity of Afrikaans-speaking communities.
ANC’s Support and Statements from Panyaza Lesufi
In response to the protest, ANC Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi defended the BELA Act as essential for achieving equal access to education across South Africa. Lesufi described the protest as “misguided” and accused the DA and its allies of “protecting privilege” under the guise of cultural preservation.
“This is about giving every child a fair shot at quality education, not about limiting cultural identity,” Lesufi explained. He argued that the Act’s primary goal is to promote a more inclusive and equitable educational environment that reflects South Africa’s diverse society. Lesufi also contended that the DA’s position is an attempt to maintain exclusive control over school policies, which he sees as contrary to the principles of inclusivity enshrined in the constitution.
Public Reaction and Symbolism at the Protest
The protest at the Voortrekker Monument attracted a diverse array of participants, including DA officials, Afriforum members, and representatives from the Freedom Front Plus and Solidarity. Some protesters displayed symbols associated with apartheid, including the old South African flag, which stirred controversy and accusations of nostalgia for apartheid-era policies. The presence of controversial figures such as Afrikaans artist Steve Hofmeyr intensified the debate, with critics accusing the DA and AfriForum of aligning with divisive elements.
Balancing Language Rights and Inclusivity
At the heart of the BELA Act debate is the tension between preserving linguistic heritage and promoting inclusivity. The Act’s language policy clause is designed to prevent language-based exclusion, a practice that has historically marginalised non-Afrikaans speaking students in certain areas. The government argues that a multilingual approach in schools is essential for creating an inclusive society, while opponents worry that the policy may erode mother-tongue education, particularly in Afrikaans.
Lesufi and other proponents assert that the Act does not eliminate mother-tongue education but ensures that schools cater to all linguistic groups. They argue that multilingual instruction benefits students from diverse backgrounds, allowing them to learn in languages they understand best.
EFF’s Pledge for Full BELA Act Implementation
The EFF has pledged to support the full implementation of the BELA Act and has committed to lodging a complaint against the DA, AfriForum, and FF+ with the Equality Court, citing “blatant racism” as grounds for legal action. The party believes that the BELA Act’s reforms are critical for achieving a fair and just education system and vows to oppose any attempt to undermine the Act’s objectives.
“The EFF will fight for the full implementation of the BELA Act in its entirety for the benefit of the majority of African learners in South Africa. Additionally, we will be lodging a complaint against the DA, AfriForum and FF+ with the Equality Court for their blatant racism,” the statement reads.
Future of the BELA Act: Task Team to Address Concerns
In light of the intense debate, the Government of National Unity (GNU) has established a task team to review the BELA Act and address concerns from various stakeholders. This task team, which includes representatives from multiple political parties, will work to ensure that the Act’s provisions are fair and inclusive while respecting cultural heritage. The team’s mandate includes reviewing Clauses 4 and 5, which have been the focal point of opposition, with a report expected within three months.
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