The Congress of South African Students (COSAS) stands resolutely behind the comprehensive implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA Act). We believe that this legislation is crucial for advancing access to equitable education for all South African learners, particularly through the vital provisions outlined in clauses 4 and 5.
As an organization deeply committed to the rights and welfare of learners, COSAS emphasizes several key reasons for advocating the full execution of the BELA Act. First and foremost, clauses 4 and 5 are essential in guaranteeing that every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, has the right to access quality education. This commitment aligns with our vision of fostering an inclusive education system that actively addresses historical inequalities and dismantles the legacy of apartheid.
The BELA Act is designed to dismantle systemic barriers that have historically marginalized certain communities, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By fully implementing this legislation, we can create an environment where all learners have equal opportunities to succeed, thereby contributing to a more just and equitable society. It is imperative that the ANC-led government prioritizes this act, as it symbolizes a commitment to addressing the disparities that continue to affect our youth.
Moreover, the implementation of the BELA Act strengthens accountability among educational institutions, ensuring they provide equitable access to education. This accountability is crucial for meeting the diverse needs of all learners, particularly those from historically underserved communities. By holding schools accountable, we can ensure that no learner is left behind and that every child receives the quality education they deserve.
In light of the recent electoral outcomes, it is essential for the ANC-led government to demonstrate responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of South African citizens. The ANC must recognize that the persistence of educational inequities undermines its legitimacy and electoral support. By prioritizing the full implementation of the BELA Act, the government can reaffirm its commitment to education as a fundamental right, thus rebuilding trust with the electorate and addressing the grievances of those who feel marginalized by the political process.
Furthermore, education serves as a cornerstone of national development. By ensuring that all learners have access to quality education, the government can cultivate a skilled workforce that drives economic growth and prosperity for all South Africans. This is not merely an educational imperative but a socio-economic necessity that will benefit the nation as a whole.
COSAS calls on the ANC-led government to prioritize the full implementation of the BELA Bill without any amendments that would undermine its critical clauses. We believe that taking this step will not only enhance the educational landscape but also restore faith in the government’s commitment to the rights of all South Africans. We however ackonowledge that at the hand of racist neo-liberals, government’s progression in the implementation of the BELA Act shall be delayed and as such we firmly condemn the acts of the racist DA, Freedom Front Plus, Afriforum and Solidarity which are aimed at preserving the riches of the privileged at the expense of the marginalised groups in South Africa. These organisations do not stand for the upliftment of the underprivileged through quality and free education but instead are consistent with a program to protect the privileges of the rich by destributing government resources unequality to the already privileged members of our society. Their March to oppose the BELA Bill is not a universal attempt to protect the rights of the child, they are instead an attempt to continuously oprress the underprivileged child and therefore COSAS pledges with all members of the community to not find themselves in support of such racist and completely unfair acts of injustice mascarating as acts which are of the public interest.
COSAS wishes to further remind the country of a state which it was in during the time before 1994 where children were subjected to speak and to learn in Afrikaans, a discriminatory act whose existence is now being protected and defended by the Afriforum in the name of preserving the Afrikaans culture. This has been a lifetime objective of the Afriforum, to cater for the Afrikaans speaker even if it is at the expense of the African, Coloured, Indian or Chinese child. We have closely understood that the Afriforum in its racist agenda is supported by the DA which currently seats as most influential and in charge in governance processes and so we fully advocate for the removal of DA racist tendencies from specifically our Basic Education Department. We have gone to understand that South African Basic Education will never cater for the underprivileged majorities of this country under the DA Minister Siviwe Gwarube and therefore call for her immediate removal. Our call is further substantiated by the recent March whose boards were in Afrikaans and had a large Afrikaaner attendance and was largely supported by the DA. We thus urge all South Africans to unite in defending the gains of democracy which have asserted equality, dignity and fairness in our society, values which seem misunderstood by the DA and its supporting allies, the Afriforum, FF+, Solidarity and the Patriotic Alliance.
We call for a firm governance decision on the implementation of the BELA BILL acknowledging that the delay in the implementation of the BELA Bill only means a reversal of the hard-won gains of democracy and equality in South Africa.
In conclusion, the Congress of South African Students urges all stakeholders to rally behind the BELA Act and work collaboratively towards its full implementation. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future for our youth and our nation. Let us unite to ensure that educational equity is not just a goal but a reality for every learner in South Africa.
END
Issued by Congress of South African Students
President
Kamogelo Nkosi
069 915 9918
Secretary General
Unesongo Matikinca
072 357 3092
For further inquiries, please contact National Spokesperson Cde Bongani Mpungose on +27639217273.
