Those opposed to BELA Act might be overreacting, says COSATU

CAPE TOWN - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) says those opposed to the (BELA) Basic Education Laws Amendment Act might be overreacting. 

COSATU also believes the contentious act won't be the "breaking point" regarding the Government of National Unity's survival, and parties must find each other. 

This comes after Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwraube announced that she had signed an agreement with Solidarity on implementing the BELA Act.

COSATU and its affiliate - the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) - are adamant that the BELA Act must be implemented despite disputes over clauses based on language and admission policy.

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Spokesperson Matthew Parks says the act is not as bad as it's made out to be by its detractors and must implemented.

On whether its opponents are overreacting, parks agrees.

“We think so. The BELA Act is a very common sense, pragmatic approach. Schools will set the admissions, the dress code and the language policies.”

But he doesn't see the impasse splitting the multi-party government.

“I don't think it can break the GNU, but it is an important issue for all sides.”

The Presidency, meanwhile, says President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated his commitment to the undertaking he made when he signed the bill to give parties three months to submit proposals on sections 4 and 5.