The African National Congress (ANC) is digging in its heels over the contentious Bela Act, signaling a potential showdown with opposition parties and Afrikaans interest groups. The party's powerful National Working Committee (NWC) has issued a firm mandate: President Cyril Ramaphosa must enact the disputed clauses 4 and 5 of the legislation by the end of November if ongoing consultations fail to reach a resolution.
This hardline stance follows a week of intense political maneuvering and a recent protest march that appears to have hardened the ANC's resolve. The march, organised by AfriForum, Solidarity, and the Democratic Alliance (DA), featured controversial figures like artist Steve Hofmeyr and drew criticism for its perceived racial undertones.
"The NWC members said the discussions must carry on but they are saying within three months if there is no conclusion, clauses 4 and five must be put under regulation. It must be regulated until they reach a consensus,” revealed an ANC insider. This statement underscores the party's determination to see the clauses implemented, even if it means overriding further objections.
Another high-ranking NWC member expressed the prevailing sentiment within the committee: “These people disrespected us, and the spirit of the NWC was that we are not going to be kicking the can down the road anymore; the president must steam ahead and sign at the end of the month if there is no resolution.” This reflects a growing impatience within the ANC, suggesting that the party views further negotiations as unproductive.
The current impasse stems from concerns raised by the DA and Afrikaans interest groups about the potential impact of clauses 4 and 5 on Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools. The DA has consistently opposed the clauses, viewing them as a threat to Afrikaans education. These concerns prompted President Ramaphosa to temporarily halt the signing of the clauses in October, initiating a three-month consultation period to allow for dialogue and compromise.
However, this consultation period has yielded no consensus, leading the ANC to adopt its uncompromising stance. Behind-the-scenes negotiations involving ANC figures like David Makhura and Febe Potgieter with Afrikaans interest groups have apparently failed to bridge the divide.
AfriForum and Solidarity, key players in the opposition to the Bela Act, have reacted defiantly to the ANC's threats. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel and Solidarity counterpart Dr Dirk Hermann dismissed the ANC's pronouncements as "empty threats," asserting that their fight for the preservation of Afrikaans culture will continue. They maintain their commitment to engaging through established platforms like the Government of National Unity (GNU) and Nedlac.
Kriel downplayed the ANC's posturing, stating that the party's tough talk is merely a façade: “Anything the ANC says about them, said Kriel, was an attempt by the former liberation movement to appear brave when it is toothless. “The recent march was a huge success, with the democratic voice of thousands heard… political parties should listen to the people.”
Kriel and Hermann expressed deep concern over the potential abuse of power by provincial education departments should clauses 4 and 5 become law. Clause 4 grants provincial heads of education the power to override a school's language policy, a power currently vested in school governing bodies (SGBs). Clause 5 similarly grants provincial departments control over admission policies.
Dr Hermann elaborated on these concerns: “Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and his MEC Matome Chiloane have already indicated how they might abuse this power to eliminate Afrikaans schools,” he said. “The Bela Act also fails to make adequate provision for mother tongue education. The issue is therefore much broader than just Afrikaans. We view Bela as an act of aggression against Afrikaans cultural communities.”
The DA has vowed to challenge the Bela Act in court if the necessary changes are not implemented, further escalating the tension surrounding this highly contentious legislation. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the ANC will proceed with its hardline approach, potentially triggering a major constitutional and political conflict.
