DA Warns That Signing Controversial Education Bill Could Threaten Future Of Coalition Gov't

The Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest component of the ruling Government of National Unity (GNU), has called for an urgent meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa over his decision to sign the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law, with the party's leader John Steenhuisen warning that the move goes against the letter and spirit of the coalition agreement.

• Steenhuisen (as quoted by IOL) said in a statement that "during the negotiations, the DA made it clear that the BELA Bill was unacceptable to us in its current form, because it has constitutional implications for the right to mother-tongue education, among other issues."
• Steenhuisen further said: "I have moved urgently to meet the President before Friday to re-iterate our objections in the strongest terms. I will also submit to him the simple amendments the DA requires, and urge him to use his powers to send the Bill back to Parliament."
• This came immediately after the Presidency announced that Ramaphosa would sign the Bill into law on Friday. The Bill was passed by the National Assembly with 223 votes in favour vs 78 against in May and has been waiting for Ramaphosa's signature since then.