The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has remained steadfast that the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act must be implemented without any conditions despite Solidarity’s attempts for engagements.

According to Solidarity, the public discourse over sections 4 and 5 of the Bela Act was holding the country hostage and South Africa could not allow this to persist.

Solidarity chief executive Dirk Hermann said there was a greater chance of resolving the dispute if ordinary workers engage in dialogue rather than political parties fighting each other.

“The focus of the discussion with Sadtu will be on mother-tongue education for all African language speakers. We need a positive outcome that will help the majority of learners gain access to quality education. Solidarity believes its proposal offers a win-win solution that will be acceptable to the ANC, DA, Sadtu and AfriForum. We also propose that further engagement about Bela forms part of the upcoming national dialogue.

“There is no legal route to immediately implement Bela in its entirety.

The necessary mechanisms, such as norms and standards, are not in place.

However, the Act provides a solution: the President can announce that the Act will be implemented in full once norms, standards, and policies have been developed. This is the only legal way to resolve the dispute. We are willing to engage with any stakeholders on this matter,” said Hermann.

Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said the union received, via WhatsApp, a proposal from Solidarity suggesting direct negotiations between them concerning the Bela Act and related issues.

“We wish to make it clear that the Act must be promulgated without any conditions because the legislation is the product of intense consultation for 10 years. Regulations and polices are developed after the Act is effective and not before the Act is effective. We call upon President Cyril Ramaphosa to promulgate the two contentious clauses in their current form and in full. Should this not occur, we will have no choice but to pursue legal action. We urge the president not to ignore the laws and the Constitution,” said Maluleke.

He said they affirm that the norms and standards are there and will be amended accordingly once the act is effective.

The union says while it advocates for mother tongue education for all African language speakers, they oppose Solidarity’s attempts to create “divisions among schools based on language”.

“The South African constitution promotes inclusivity, and we cannot allow language to be a tool for further separation. We remain committed to unity and inclusivity in our education system,” Maluleke added.

Cape Times