President Cyril Ramaphosa Signs Controversial BELA Bill Amid Mixed Reactions

Holifil

03 Apr, 2025

On September 13, 2024, President Ramaphosa signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill at the Union Buildings.
However, two contentious clauses will undergo further discussion over the next three months.
These clauses focus on school admissions and language policies, which won’t be implemented immediately.

PRETORIA — In a significant move, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially signed the BELA Bill into law, but not without addressing concerns about two of its clauses. Speaking during the ceremony, he announced that these specific clauses would be paused for three months to allow for further consultations with stakeholders. This decision reflects the administration's commitment to fostering dialogue, even as it moves forward with crucial educational reforms.

Ramaphosa signed the BELA Bill into law, but with two clauses postponed. Image: Khosrork (Getty) and @GovernmentZASource: Twitter

Should no resolution emerge within the three-month period, the entire bill will proceed to full implementation. Opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA) have already voiced strong concerns about the bill and anticipate playing a critical role in opposing the disputed clauses during upcoming negotiations. This pause aims to ensure all voices are heard before final decisions are made.

During his speech, President Ramaphosa elaborated on the reasons behind postponing the implementation of the two clauses and emphasized the importance of collaboration in shaping South Africa's education system.

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"I believe in giving everyone involved an opportunity to find common ground on these two contentious issues. That's why I've decided to delay the implementation of Clauses 4 and 5 for three months, while the rest of the act will take effect immediately. This extra time will allow all parties concerned to engage in constructive dialogue and work toward resolving their differences."

"In the spirit of collaboration, I remain open to engaging with those who may have solutions, even at this late stage. It's essential that we send a clear message to the people of South Africa: we're committed to transforming our education system for the better. However, as your president, I also recognize the value of taking a moment to ensure all perspectives are considered. Let's use this time wisely."

Interestingly, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube was absent from the event, reportedly due to her opposition to the bill. Her absence sparked speculation about internal divisions within the government regarding the legislation.

Public Reaction: A Mix of Surprise and Skepticism

The announcement quickly drew reactions from across the country, with many South Africans expressing surprise—and, in some cases, disbelief—at the president's decision. What started as shock soon turned into lighthearted humor, with social media users sharing their thoughts online.

Twitter user @FreeInduna expressed certainty that the signing had occurred earlier in the day:

"Huh? They said he signed it this morning."

@Bronx_wrangler couldn't wait to see how the conversation would unfold on X (formerly Twitter):

"Love it. There's going to be so many laughs today on X as the nutters freak out."

@DirksMervyn summed up his feelings with a series of laughing emojis:

"😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 He was born a sellout."

@ristomsele64508 joked about Cyril's fear of the DA:

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"Cyril is very scared of DA, DA have Phala Phala against Cyril 😃"

@Mafa6232 questioned whether another political party might actually be calling the shots:

"🤣🤣🤣 Aaii funi iruler, DA is in charge. Cyril doesn't have a backbone, why did they first announce signing of it Monday, then at eleventh hour postpones? Sies, weak president we have."

Understanding the Significance of the BELA Bill

What Happened at the Union Buildings?

According to Briefly News, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially enacted the Basic Education Amendment Laws Bill at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. In his remarks, he acknowledged receiving advice against signing the bill but ultimately decided to move forward, citing the will of the people as his guiding principle. The bill represents a major step in reforming South Africa's education sector, aiming to address long-standing issues related to access, equity, and quality.

Varied Public Responses

Reactions among South Africans to the signing have been mixed. Some citizens praised the president for pushing ahead with much-needed reforms, while others criticized him harshly, arguing that the bill could further complicate an already fragile education system. The decision to delay implementation of two key clauses has added another layer of complexity to the debate, leaving many wondering what the future holds for education policy in the nation.