BELA Act – the clear, red line

South African parents draw a clear red line when it comes to their children. “It is my child, my language, my community, my school!” thousands of concerned parents declared as President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he would sign the BELA (Basic Education Laws Amendment) Bill within 48 hours.

It is important to note that the South African school system is founded on public schools, rather than state-owned schools. These schools are partially funded by the government and offer education in languages, such as Afrikaans, English and other indigenous languages.

Public schools are funded in two ways. The majority of schools depend on the government for financial support, while others are supported by the community.

There is no denying that the government is failing the schools that depend solely on them for funding. Examples of how they fail these schools are, amongst other things, a lack of resources, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of teachers. Sometimes learners even do not have desks to sit at in school. This contributes to and results in extremely poor performance among learners. The aforementioned does not even include major infrastructural problems experienced at these schools. For example, in 2024 several incidents had been reported where primary school learners had drowned in pit latrines because the schools do not have toilets.

The government seemingly encourages schools to function with the support of the community. At these community-supported schools, the school’s governing body decides on the school’s admission and language policies, and the values that are taught at the school. The governing body usually consists of parents and community members. The learners’ performance in these schools is usually high because the governing body and community values mother-tongue education which is embodied in the school’s language policies.

Single-medium Afrikaans schools are amongst these schools that show exceptional performance by learners. Many Afrikaans schools benefit from active parental and community involvement, which fosters a supportive learning environment. There is an emphasis on Afrikaans culture and heritage, creating a sense of belonging and motivation for students.

Instruction in Afrikaans allows students to develop strong language skills, which can enhance their overall academic performance. Most Afrikaans schools prioritise a rigorous academic curriculum, emphasising critical thinking and problem-solving skills. A strong sense of discipline and values is instilled, which contributes to a positive and disciplined school culture.

Some schools maintain lower student-teacher ratios, allowing for more individualised attention and support. A variety of extracurricular activities, including sports and arts, help develop well-rounded students.

With BELA, the government wishes to transform the 5% of these well-structured, community-supported schools to become part of the 80% dysfunctional government-supported schools.

The BELA Act might be the government of national unity’s (GNU) first test. It will affect the trust between the different political parties, but more importantly the trust of the Afrikaans community in the GNU to also protect the minorities’ needs.

 

What is the BELA Act?

BELA is simply an amendment to the South African Schools Act (SASA) (No. 84 of 1996) and the Educators Employment Act (No. 76 of 1998).

The purpose of the amendment is to bring equality to the school system and to change the wording to better suit the South Africa of 2024.

To be clear, the entire BELA is not malicious. Some laws surely need amendment to improve the school system and close the gaps to ensure that all children receive their right to education. However, the act in its totality is flawed. Here are some of the sections in BELA that are controversial (sourced from News24):

  • Making Grade R the new compulsory level to start school: The provision of Grade R is currently not part of the mandatory basic education mandate, and it is managed within the broader context of early childhood development as regulated by the Education White Paper 5 of 2021. Grade R would be expanded to 7 888 schools where it is not yet offered.
  • Criminalising parents who don’t ensure their children go to school: BELA addresses this matter by threatening parents with possible imprisonment. BELA also adds that anyone who prevents or intentionally disturbs school activities is guilty of violating the law and is punishable by a prison sentence of a maximum of 12 months.
  • Homeschooling: The amendment provides that the Head of the department may when considering an application, require a delegated official to conduct a pre-registration site visit. It also provides that the Minister of Basic Education may institute regulations relating to the registration and administration of home education. The Department said the amendment to homeschooling acknowledges the fact that some parents do not feel comfortable sending their children to public schools.
  • Language policy: This section seeks to amend section 6 of the SASA Act to provide for the governing body to submit the language policy of a public school and any amendment thereof to the Head of the Education Department for approval. The language policy must also consider the language needs of the broader community.
  • Sale of alcohol on school premises: This section deals with matters about the possession, consumption, or sale of liquor during any private function held on the school premises.
  • Religion: BELA stipulates that schools’ code of conduct be sensitive to cultural beliefs and religious observances. The code of conduct must also contain a section which allows pupils to request an exemption from complying with certain parts of the code of conduct.
  • Corporal punishment: BELA reaffirms that corporal punishment is no longer allowed at schools. It proposes that a person who carries out corporal punishment pay a fine or be sentenced to prison.

 

Concerns about the Language Policy in the Act

The Language Policy in the Act disempowers schools from choosing their language of instruction. Read between the lines, this section aims to exploit and target single-language and mother-tongue education schools to change their language policies.

Some Afrikaans schools in Pretoria have already been threatened by the provisions in this section should this section be implemented. Afrikaans schools are high-performing schools and achieve excellent results each year, mainly because of the quality of teaching received in learners’ mother tongue.

Changing these schools’ main language of instruction to English puts the learners at a disadvantage and denies them the opportunity to learn and perform in their mother tongue. Afrikaans schools are also at the centre of the Afrikaans culture where teachers can freely teach and realise the values of the community.

The mother tongue argument is not just about Afrikaans or language in general; it is about protecting traditional and cultural language communities throughout South Africa. The government does not value mother tongue education and disregards it.

“We regard the signing of this Bill into an Act as an act of aggression towards and a breach of the relationship of trust with the Afrikaans community. The signing undermines the spirit of unity of the national government,” said Dirk Hermann, Chief Executive of Solidarity at the time of the signing of the Bill.

Various institutions associated with the Solidarity Movement and other stakeholders put considerable pressure on the President to refrain from signing the Bill. As a result, the President has chosen to postpone the enactment of the sections dealing with language policy and school admission in the Act pending further negotiation. In the meantime, institutions like Solidarity and AfriForum are preparing for legal action, mass protests and negotiations with key role players.

 

Implications of these sections of the Act are to be implemented

According to the section on Language Policy, a public school should adjust the language to serve the broader public represented in an area. If this is the criteria, there is no region where Afrikaans or any other language will outweigh the English-speaking community in numbers.

This will mean the end of all single-medium public schools and mother-tongue education. This also has an enormous impact on the job stability of educators.

Should parents wish to teach their children in Afrikaans or a different language, they would have to pay expensive amounts to send their children to private schools, which few parents can afford.

The new provision of homeschooling in the Act will also make it difficult for parents and educators to decide upon the curriculum they wish to follow.

 

What is the way forward?

Before a Bill or an Act is signed in South Africa, the public has the opportunity to submit written comments or feedback that should be considered in the law-making process. In the case of the BELA Bill, the analysis of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education of the public comments received showed that only 1,4% were positive towards the Bill. Thus, the President signed a Bill that suits only 1,4% of the public.

The Minister of Basic Education boycotted the signing ceremony of the Bill to show her opposition to the Bill. The government can expect mass resistance and protests from inside and outside the GNU until a final decision future announcement is made.

The outcome of the differences on BELA will be the first real test for the GNU. Should President Cyril Ramaphosa enact all the sections of the Bill, the Solidarity Movement will continue its battle against it in court. There is still hope regardless of the outcome of the current process.

The Afrikaans community has shown its power and resilience in standing together and supporting each other through its application of self-governance. Plans to open a private Afrikaans primary school in Pretoria are already being put into action. In 2028 the new campus of Akademia, an Afrikaans tertiary education institution, will also open its doors. No Act or signature can keep us from speaking our language and realising our culture freely in the country of our birth.

The Solidary Movement’s focus is to fight for a space where Afrikaners can live freely, safely and prosperously at the southernmost tip of Africa.

AfriForum’s Lichtenburg branch repairs hundreds of potholes

Adapted from Maroela Media

The AfriForum branch in Lichtenburg completed several successful pothole repair projects during July 2024 thanks to the assistance and donations received from the community. A total of 21,3 tons of tar was used to repair potholes in Lichtenburg. This is proof of the community’s unwavering commitment to road safety.

In 2nd Avenue, 110 potholes were repaired with 138 bags of tar and one drum of SS 60 bitumen. The residents of 2nd Avenue donated this material. In Mathew Street, 42 potholes were repaired with three bags of cement, 40 bags of tar and 50 litres of SS 60 bitumen, all donated by Westvaal Isuzu, Lichtenburg.

Nelson Manela Avenue in Lichtenburg
Nelson Manela Avenue in Lichtenburg

Potholes are an increasing challenge in South Africa, especially in rural areas where the corrupt municipalities do not look after the safety and needs of the residents. The last two years have produced shocking statistics on road accidents and deaths due to potholes in the Free State.

At the corner of 8th Avenue and 3rd Street, the entire intersection, which had been in tatters for the past three years, has been repaired. Here 12 bags of cement were used to fill up deep holes. Afterwards, the entire crossing (301 m) was tarred with 10 tons of hot tar and one drum of SS 60 bitumen. This could be done thanks to a huge donation by NWK Lichtenburg. Members of the community offered their help, for example to transport the tar.

In Church Street, a trench dug for a power cable was repaired with 15 bags of tar, donated by Neokor Sekuriteit. In Transvaal Street, 65 potholes were repaired, using 100 bags of tar and half a drum of SS 60 bitumen. Two tons of hot tar were used to tar the Dada Centre’s entrance and exit in Church Street. The Dada Centre made this donation.

Hans Nel Bande again donated the material for the 56 potholes in Transvaal Street to be repaired. These holes were filled with six bags of cement, after which two tons of hot tar and half a drum of SS 60 bitumen were used.

“July was AfriForum’s national pothole month, during which the civil rights organisation repaired as many potholes as possible nationwide,” says Armand Viljoen, AfriForum’s district coordinator. “The aim of this project is to make an immediate impact on a town’s road infrastructure. Better roads result in fewer road accidents and ensure that emergency services can get to their destinations faster.”

Local businesses and community members are encouraged to get involved in the Lichtenburg branch’s pothole project by making tar donations and at the same time nominating specific streets for repairs.

This project is proof once again that a community does not have to be at the mercy of the government’s poor service delivery. By working together, an environment can be created where the community can flourish. Doing and building it yourself is possible.

AfriForum encourages residents across the country to join a branch nearest to their town and become part of the projects. Pothole by pothole we are making South Africa a better place to live.

The road after it is tarred
The road after it is tarred

 

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Geskiedenisfonds

ʼn Fonds wat help om die Afrikanergeskiedenis te bevorder.

FAK

Die Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK) is reeds in 1929 gestig. Vandag is die FAK steeds dié organisasie wat jou toelaat om kreatief te wees in jou taal en kultuur. Die FAK is ’n toekomsgerigte kultuurorganisasie wat ’n tuiste vir die Afrikaanse taal en kultuur bied en die trotse Afrikanergeskiedenis positief bevorder.

Solidariteit Helpende Hand

Solidariteit Helpende Hand fokus op maatskaplike welstand en dié organisasie se groter visie is om oplossings vir die hantering van Afrikanerarmoede te vind.

Solidariteit Helpende Hand se roeping is om armoede deur middel van gemeenskapsontwikkeling op te los. Solidariteit Helpende Hand glo dat mense ʼn verantwoordelikheid teenoor mekaar en teenoor die gemeenskap het.

Solidariteit Helpende Hand is geskoei op die idees van die Afrikaner-Helpmekaarbeweging van 1949 met ʼn besondere fokus op “help”, “saam” en “ons.”

Forum Sekuriteit

Forum Sekuriteit is in die lewe geroep om toonaangewende, dinamiese en doeltreffende privaat sekuriteitsdienste in

Suid-Afrika te voorsien en op dié wyse veiligheid in gemeenskappe te verhoog.

AfriForumTV

AfriForumTV is ʼn digitale platform wat aanlyn en gratis is en visuele inhoud aan lede en nielede bied. Intekenaars kan verskeie kanale in die gemak van hul eie huis op hul televisiestel, rekenaar of selfoon verken deur van die AfriForumTV-app gebruik te maak. AfriForumTV is nóg ʼn kommunikasiestrategie om die publiek bewus te maak van AfriForum se nuus en gebeure, maar ook om vermaak deur films en fiksie- en realiteitsreekse te bied. Hierdie inhoud gaan verskaf word deur AfriForumTV self, instellings binne die Solidariteit Beweging en eksterne inhoudverskaffers.

AfriForum Uitgewers

AfriForum Uitgewers (voorheen bekend as Kraal Uitgewers) is die trotse uitgewershuis van die Solidariteit Beweging en is die tuiste van Afrikaanse niefiksie-, Afrikanergeskiedenis- én prima Afrikaanse produkte. Dié uitgewer het onlangs sy fokus verskuif en gaan voortaan slegs interne publikasies van die Solidariteit Beweging publiseer.

AfriForum Jeug

AfriForum Jeug is die amptelike jeugafdeling van AfriForum, die burgerregte-inisiatief wat deel van die Solidariteit Beweging vorm. AfriForum Jeug berus op Christelike beginsels en ons doel is om selfstandigheid onder jong Afrikaners te bevorder en die realiteite in Suid-Afrika te beïnvloed deur veldtogte aan te pak en aktief vir jongmense se burgerregte standpunt in te neem.

De Goede Hoop-koshuis

De Goede Hoop is ʼn moderne, privaat Afrikaanse studentekoshuis met hoë standaarde. Dit is in Pretoria geleë.

De Goede Hoop bied ʼn tuiste vir dinamiese studente met Christelike waardes en ʼn passie vir Afrikaans; ʼn tuiste waar jy as jongmens in gesonde studentetradisies kan deel en jou studentwees met selfvertroue in Afrikaans kan uitleef.

Studiefondssentrum

DIE HELPENDE HAND STUDIETRUST (HHST) is ʼn inisiatief van Solidariteit Helpende Hand en is ʼn geregistreerde openbare weldaadsorganisasie wat behoeftige Afrikaanse studente se studie moontlik maak deur middel van rentevrye studielenings.

Die HHST administreer tans meer as 200 onafhanklike studiefondse namens verskeie donateurs en het reeds meer as 6 300 behoeftige studente se studie moontlik gemaak met ʼn totaal van R238 miljoen se studiehulp wat verleen is.

S-leer

Solidariteit se sentrum vir voortgesette leer is ʼn opleidingsinstelling wat voortgesette professionele ontwikkeling vir professionele persone aanbied. S-leer het ten doel om werkendes met die bereiking van hul loopbaandoelwitte by te staan deur die aanbieding van seminare, kortkursusse, gespreksgeleenthede en e-leer waarin relevante temas aangebied en bespreek word.

Solidariteit Jeug

Solidariteit Jeug berei jongmense voor vir die arbeidsmark, staan op vir hul belange en skakel hulle in by die Netwerk van Werk. Solidariteit Jeug is ʼn instrument om jongmense te help met loopbaankeuses en is ʼn tuiskomplek vir jongmense.

Solidariteit Regsfonds

ʼn Fonds om die onregmatige toepassing van regstellende aksie teen te staan.

Solidariteit Boufonds

ʼn Fonds wat spesifiek ten doel het om Solidariteit se opleidingsinstellings te bou.

Solidariteit Finansiële Dienste (SFD)

SFD is ʼn gemagtigde finansiëledienstemaatskappy wat deel is van die Solidariteit Beweging. Die instelling se visie is om die toekomstige finansiële welstand, finansiële sekerheid en volhoubaarheid van Afrikaanse individue en ondernemings te bevorder. SFD doen dit deur middel van mededingende finansiële dienste en produkte, in Afrikaans en met uitnemende diens vir ʼn groter doel aan te bied.

Ons Sentrum

Die Gemeenskapstrukture-afdeling bestaan tans uit twee mediese ondersteuningsprojekte en drie gemeenskapsentrums, naamlik Ons Plek in die Strand, Derdepoort en Volksrust. Die drie gemeenskapsentrums is gestig om veilige kleuter- en/of naskoolversorging in die onderskeie gemeenskappe beskikbaar te stel. Tans akkommodeer die gemeenskapsentrums altesaam 158 kinders in die onderskeie naskoolsentrums, terwyl Ons Plek in die Strand 9 kleuters en Ons Plek in Volksrust 16 kleuters in die kleuterskool het.

Skoleondersteuningsentrum (SOS)

Die Solidariteit Skoleondersteuningsentrum (SOS) se visie is om die toekoms van Christelike, Afrikaanse onderwys te (help) verseker deur gehalte onderrig wat reeds bestaan in stand te (help) hou, én waar nodig nuut te (help) bou.

Die SOS se doel is om elke skool in ons land waar onderrig in Afrikaans aangebied word, by te staan om in die toekoms steeds onderrig van wêreldgehalte te bly bied en wat tred hou met die nuutste navorsing en internasionale beste praktyke.

Sol-Tech

Sol-Tech is ʼn geakkrediteerde, privaat beroepsopleidingskollege wat op Christelike waardes gefundeer is en Afrikaans as onderrigmedium gebruik.

Sol-Tech fokus op beroepsopleiding wat tot die verwerwing van nasionaal erkende, bruikbare kwalifikasies lei. Sol-Tech het dus ten doel om jongmense se toekomsdrome met betrekking tot loopbaanontwikkeling deur doelspesifieke opleiding te verwesenlik.

Akademia

Akademia is ’n Christelike hoëronderwysinstelling wat op ’n oop, onbevange en kritiese wyse ’n leidinggewende rol binne die hedendaagse universiteitswese speel.

Akademia streef daarna om ʼn akademiese tuiste te bied waar sowel die denke as die hart gevorm word met die oog op ʼn betekenisvolle en vrye toekoms.

AfriForum Publishers

AfriForum Uitgewers (previously known as Kraal Uitgewers) is the proud publishing house of the Solidarity Movement and is the home of Afrikaans non-fiction, products related to the Afrikaner’s history, as well as other prime Afrikaans products. The publisher recently shifted its focus and will only publish internal publications of the Solidarity Movement from now on.

Maroela Media

Maroela Media is ʼn Afrikaanse internetkuierplek waar jy alles kan lees oor dit wat in jou wêreld saak maak – of jy nou in Suid-Afrika bly of iewers anders woon en deel van die Afrikaanse Maroela-gemeenskap wil wees. Maroela Media se Christelike karakter vorm die kern van sy redaksionele beleid.

Kanton Beleggingsmaatskappy

Kanton is ʼn beleggingsmaatskappy vir eiendom wat deur die Solidariteit Beweging gestig is. Die eiendomme van die Solidariteit Beweging dien as basis van die portefeulje wat verder deur ontwikkeling uitgebrei sal word.

Kanton is ʼn vennootskap tussen kultuur en kapitaal en fokus daarop om volhoubare eiendomsoplossings aan instellings in die Afrikaanse gemeenskap teen ʼn goeie opbrengs te voorsien sodat hulle hul doelwitte kan bereik.

Wolkskool

Wolkskool is ʼn produk van die Skoleondersteuningsentrum (SOS), ʼn niewinsgewende organisasie met ʼn span onderwyskundiges wat ten doel het om gehalte- Afrikaanse onderrig te help verseker. Wolkskool bied ʼn platform waar leerders 24-uur toegang tot video-lesse, vraestelle, werkkaarte met memorandums en aanlyn assessering kan kry.

Ajani

Ajani is ‘n privaat geregistreerde maatskappy wat dienste aan ambagstudente ten opsigte van plasing by werkgewers bied.

Ajani is a registered private company that offers placement opportunities to artisan students in particular.

Begrond Instituut

Die Begrond Instituut is ʼn Christelike navorsingsinstituut wat die Afrikaanse taal en kultuur gemeenskap bystaan om Bybelse antwoorde op belangrike lewensvrae te kry.

Sakeliga

ʼn Onafhanklike sake-organisasie

Pretoria FM en Klankkoerant

ʼn Gemeenskapsgebaseerde radiostasie en nuusdiens

Saai

ʼn Familieboer-landbounetwerk wat hom daarvoor beywer om na die belange van familieboere om te sien deur hul regte te beskerm en te bevorder.

Ons Winkel

Ons Winkels is Solidariteit Helpende Hand se skenkingswinkels. Daar is bykans 120 winkels landwyd waar lede van die publiek skenkings van tweedehandse goedere – meubels, kombuisware, linne en klere – kan maak. Die winkels ontvang die skenkings en verkoop goeie kwaliteit items teen bekostigbare pryse aan die publiek.

AfriForum

AfriForum is ʼn burgerregte-organisasie wat Afrikaners, Afrikaanssprekende mense en ander minderheidsgroepe in Suid-Afrika mobiliseer en hul regte beskerm.

AfriForum is ʼn nieregeringsorganisasie wat as ʼn niewinsgewende onderneming geregistreer is met die doel om minderhede se regte te beskerm. Terwyl die organisasie volgens die internasionaal erkende beginsel van minderheidsbeskerming funksioneer, fokus AfriForum spesifiek op die regte van Afrikaners as ʼn gemeenskap wat aan die suidpunt van die vasteland woon. Lidmaatskap is nie eksklusief nie en enige persoon wat hom of haar met die inhoud van die organisasies se Burgerregte-manifes vereenselwig, kan by AfriForum aansluit.