What's happened
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) bill into law, but suspended two contentious sections for further consultation. Critics argue the law threatens Afrikaans education, while supporters claim it promotes equitable access to schooling for Black learners. The debate highlights deep-seated racial and linguistic tensions in South Africa.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Guardian highlights the political tensions surrounding the BELA bill, noting that President Ramaphosa has allowed three months for dissenting parties to propose alternatives to the controversial language provisions. Critics, particularly from the Democratic Alliance, argue that the bill threatens Afrikaans education, with DA leader John Steenhuisen stating, 'Afrikaans-medium schools constitute less than 5% of the country’s schools.' In contrast, Al Jazeera emphasizes the government's perspective, asserting that the law aims to rectify historical inequalities in education access for Black learners. The Independent provides context on the historical significance of Afrikaans in South Africa, illustrating the complex relationship between language and education in the post-apartheid era.
How we got here
The BELA bill modifies existing education laws to enhance government oversight on language and admission policies in schools. It aims to address historical inequalities in education access, particularly for Black South Africans, while facing backlash from Afrikaans-speaking communities concerned about their language rights.
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