Calls for Ramaphosa To Take Action After Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube Snubs BELA Bill Signing

Calls for Ramaphosa To Take Action After Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube Snubs BELA Bill Signing

  • Apolitical group Save South Africa is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to act against Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube
  • Gwarube was visibly absent as Ramaphosa and other government officials ushered in the anticipated BELA Bill on 13 September
  • Save South Africa emphasised that the politician's decision to boycott the signing undermined the legislation's credibility
Save South Africa beseeches Ramaphosa to take steps against Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube
President Cyril Ramaphosa asked to act against Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube for boycotting the BELA Bill signing ceremony. Images: Wikus De Wet, Darren Stewart
Source: Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG — Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube was notably absent from the Union Buildings in Tshwane, Gauteng, on Friday, 13 September.

This was as President Cyril Ramaphosa heralded the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill during a signing ceremony with other public office bearers.

Group asks Ramaphosa to act against Gwarube

Briefly News recently reported that Gauteng Education Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Matome Chiloane fully supported the bill.

Read also

President Cyril Ramaphosa grants Pravin Gordhan a state funeral

PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!

Gwarube's absence stems from her strong opposition to the new law, which she qualified when listing her reasons for disagreeing with it in its present form.

She echoed the Democratic Alliance's (DA) stance that it was unconstitutional and should be returned to Parliament.

Therefore, the politician wants Ramaphosa to revise certain sections that deal with language policies that strip school governing bodies (SGBs) at public schools of the right to choose the medium of instruction.

She cited further gripes with making Grade R compulsory and giving early childhood centres the capacity to provide the level.

eNCA reported that Save South Africa has called on Ramaphosa to act against Gwarube for blatantly boycotting the signing.

The apolitical group said her actions undermined the legislation's credibility.

Read also

Democratic Alliance expels former MP Renaldo Gouws, SA Celebrates

However, despite objecting to it, Gwarube vowed to ensure the Act's implementation.

Following the signing, Ramaphosa deferred the admission and language policies for 90 days, saying those opposed to them could offer suggestions.

Ramokgopa ices nuclear procurement plan

In other news, Briefly News reported that Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced that the government's plan to procure 2,500 megawatts of nuclear energy was temporarily off the table.

The gazette came under legal scrutiny based on non-public participation in the process, among other factors. However, the plan received the backing of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU - click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tshepiso Mametela avatar

Tshepiso Mametela Tshepiso Mametela is a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience writing for online and print publications. He is an evening/weekend editor at Briefly News. He was a general news reporter for The Herald, a senior sports contributor at Opera News SA, and a reporter for Caxton Local Media’s Bedfordview and Edenvale News and Joburg East Express community titles. He has attended media workshops, including the crime and court reporting one by the Wits Justice Project and Wits Centre for Journalism in 2024. He was a member of the Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ) from 2018 to 2020.