DA maintains it has won control of the BELA Act

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has maintained that while President Cyril Ramaphosa has resolved on the immediate and complete implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act - it has won control over how this will be done.

DA’s Siviwe Gwarube is the Minister in charge of Basic Education who will oversee the norms and standards as well as regulations over the contentious piece of legislation.

The BELA Act speaks to various issues including school starting age, language, home education and admissions policies.

According to the DA's federal chairperson Helen Zille, the party will be able to shape the context and framework of decisions to be taken on the legislation.

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In an ideal world, explains Zille, the norms and standards as well as regulations around the BELA Act should have been resolved before its full implementation.

However, she insists the latest development around the contentious piece of legislation is a definite win for her party.

"So it puts a lot of context and framework to any decision that is taken," explained Zille.

The DA previously referred to this issue as its red line threatening to walk away from the Government of National Unity (GNU) if the BELA Act went ahead.

Zille now says it's about compromise which she’s accused the African National Congress (ANC) of not espousing.

"It’s a very serious matter that the ANC is clearly unwilling to give its major coalition partner, the one that holds the balance of power, the agreement that we are arguing and pushing for."

Zille believes it's clear that some in the ANC want to push the DA out of the Government of National Unity.