The South African Communist Party (SACP) General Secretary, Solly Mapaila, has called for the dismissal of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, following her absence at the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The General Secretary of the SACP made these comments during the 10th South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) National Congress in Ekurhuleni this week.
Mapaila says Minister Gwarube's decision not to attend the signing of the contentious BELA Act officially by President Cyril Ramaphosa is grounds for her dismal.
This Minister, If I was President, she [the minister], should not have stayed a day longer after she defied him because the ministers are accountable to the president, not to their respective parties. In terms of our constitution, the president must act in line with any arrangement that he has and in our case as a president of the ANC in line with the policies of the ANC.
How We Got Here
After the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure enough votes to govern independently, it formed a Government of National Unity (GNU) with several political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), of which Gwaube is a member.
The DA has always maintained its opposition to several elements of the BELA Bill, and concerns regarding potential friction in the GNU was raised when a DA member was appointed as Minister of Basic Education.
Gwarube declined to attend the signing, citing unresolved issues, particularly around public school admissions, language policies, and the phased introduction of compulsory Grade R.
The minister called for Parliament to address these concerns to ensure all learners receive quality education. Gwarube acknowledged the need for compromise within the GNU and confirmed that she had discussed the Bill with the President, stressing the importance of resolving these objections to avoid legal challenges.
During the signing ceremony, President Rampahosa emphasised that the legislation aims to tackle challenges such as school admission discrimination, educational disparities, and financial barriers.
However, the president announced a three-month delay in implementing clauses 4 and 5 which speak to the determination of language and admission policies, to allow for further discussion.
Minister Won’t Resign
Following numerous calls for the Minister to tender her resignation, Gwarube says she remains committed to doing her best to improve the quality of education in South Africa.
I took an oath of office and I’ve made a commitment to my colleagues, the department and to the officials that I am going to be here to do my job. I’m not at the first hurdle of the government of national unity, to give up on that jobs.
Gwarube admitted that there are critical aspects of the Bela Bill that will enable the department to do their jobs and engagements regarding certain clauses will be left to the president to discuss for partners in the GNU.
That consultation process is something that is born from engagements that we had with the president with his partners of the GNU. So we will leave that consultation to him and we will then essentially get feedback from that consultation as to what the instruction for the sector going forward.
Ramaphosa Unfazed By Minister's Non-Attendance
Ramaphosa said the Minister’s non-attendance at the signing ceremony is a minor issue. He added that she is committed to carrying out the government's policies.
The minister has been very clear. She says “President, you are my boss and I will execute the decisions of government”. If the bill is signed that is exactly her mandate.
