Rise Mzansi says BELA Act should be implemented immediately

CAPE TOWN - Rise Mzansi says the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act should be implemented without delay. 

It remains one of the major sticking points among parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU). 

Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi said his party doesn’t believe the debate over contentious clauses should continue to drag on in the GNU’s clearing house. 

On Thursday, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced she had signed two agreements with trade union Solidariteit and The Presidency, aimed at resolving the impasse over two clauses of the act. 

Political newcomer Rise Mzansi says while there may be shortcomings in the BELA Act, it doesn’t agree with the suspension of clauses that are delaying its implementation. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the bill into law in September, but suspended two clauses on language policy and admissions for three months, following pushback from some GNU parties.

Zibi said the act will ensure schooling adapts to the changes in society. 

“With communities becoming more diverse we believe that admissions and language policies of schools must result from provincial heads of department and school governing bodies working together.” 

Zibi said challenges to the act can be ventilated in a court. However, the party is concerned about penalties for parents whose children are not enrolled for Grade R.

Another contentious law among GNU partners is the National Health Insurance (NHI). 

Zibi said while his party is in favour of universal health care, it doesn’t believe the NHI Act is the way to achieve this. 

“We must ensure we build a working system on the current foundation, rather than attempting to build something new. “

Zibi said much still needs to be done to address underfunding, resourcing, corruption, management of facilities and the loss of skills in state health care before universal health care can be realised.