‘Bela Act will be implemented’: Siviwe Gwarube insists she wants to keep her government job

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube says there are several positive aspects within the polarizing Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act, and the new piece of legislation is certainly going to be implemented in South Africa.

On Monday, IOL reported that Gwarube’s party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has hit back at speculation that its top official and minister in the Government of National Unity Cabinet could lose her plum job, as tensions continue to simmer around the Bela Act.

Weekend newspaper reports suggested that President Cyril Ramaphosa is under intense pressure from within his African National Congress (ANC) to fire Gwarube who – in accordance with her party position - is openly opposed to the implementation of the Bela Act.

However, in an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Gwarube said the conversations in South Africa about the new law has unfortunately been characterized by very polarizing views.

“The reality here is that the Bela Act is going to be implemented in its entirety. The only difference is how then do we stagger the implementation so that we can have regulations in place that can give effect to each and every section of the Act. The negotiations that are going on in the GNU, that is within the purview of the president.

“On my side, I am committed to making sure we implement Bela, particularly those sections that have not been postponed for commencement. There are some good aspects to the Act, things like making Grade R compulsory and I believe if we start to really enforce and focus on the foundation phase, things like matric results will take care of themselves.”

The minister said poor black learners have had the short end of the stick in South Africa, and the DA has no intention to block them from certain schools.

She also told the television channel that she does not regret participating in the engagements at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) with members from Solidarity.

Regarding her future in government, Gwarube said she certainly wants to keep her post.

“Certainly, I have lot to do. The sector has a lot of challenges. I have a lot to do and I am excited about getting stuck in. Things like today really spur me on, because I think innovation, energy – which all I have – are gonna see us improving education outcomes in the country.

“I certainly want to keep my job and I certainly want to keep doing it because it’s absolutely important,” said Gwarube.

Earlier this week, reacting to the media reports on the alleged plot to fire Gwarube, leader of the Democratic Alliance, John Steenhuisen insisted that removing the minister or any other DA minister “for doing their jobs” would not be tolerated.

“Doing so would signal an end to the Government of National Unity (GNU),” said Steenhuisen in a statement.

He said there is ongoing misinformation around the consultation process which has been taking place since Ramaphosa signed the Bela Act into law nearly three months ago, withholding clauses 4 and 5, to allow for further consultation from concerned parties.

“These consultations are ongoing through the clearing house mechanism within the GNU. During this time, the minister has met with members from Solidarity, and the Presidency, at Nedlac after a dispute was lodged by the union,” said Steenhuisen.

“This process is entirely separate from the consultation process, and conflating the two is misleading, and factually incorrect. This was a mandatory process, in terms of the law, to prevent strike action arising out of the dispute. The outcome of this engagement was a settlement, signed by the Minister of Basic Education, the Presidency, and the union.”

Steenhuisen said the Presidency is now seeking to backtrack from the Nedlac engagements which it is party to.

IOL