Political parties and civil society organisations on Friday expressed mixed reactions to the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, which President Cyril Ramaphosa said was an important step in resolving challenges in the country's education system.

Despite some public rejection, and concern over the Bill's constitutionality, Ramaphosa signed it into law, however, he placed on hold clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill for three months to find solutions to the concerns around them. Should no solutions be found, the Bill will be implemented fully, he said.

The African National Congress (ANC) called on all stakeholders in the education sector to embrace "this important development" and work together to ensure the successful implementation of the BELA Bill for the benefit of children, communities, and the future of the nation.

ANC Acting National Spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi said the signing of the Bill marked a significant step in strengthening governance and transforming South Africa's education system.

"We believe that education is the cornerstone of economic liberation to active citizenship and the empowerment of all South Africans. The amendments to the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the Employment of Educators Act of 1998 through the BELA Bill will ensure that our legal framework reflects the evolving needs of our society and responds effectively to the demands of quality education for all," stated Godlimpi.

The party said the legislation upholds the constitutional rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights and provides a mechanism for ensuring equal access to education, inclusive governance in schools, and the fair treatment of educators.

Godlimpi said these amendments will strengthen school governing bodies' accountability, enhance the management of resources, and ensure that learners, particularly from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, are not excluded from the full benefits of education.

Portfolio Committee on Basic Education Chairperson Joy Maimela commended Ramaphosa for signing into law the "very progressive" piece of legislation, that she said will see the landscape of schooling in South Africa change for the better.

Maimela noted the legislation has been more than 11 years in the making and is in line with continuing the transformation agenda of the education sector.

Select Committee on Education, Science and the Creative Industries chairperson Makhi Feni said the "misrepresentation" that the Bill seeks to do away with Afrikaans is unfounded and intended to drive a wedge between South Africans.

He added that Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube's decision to not attend the signing ceremony for a piece of legislation intended for her portfolio is "unfortunate and intended to undermine" the President, noting that the conduct is regrettable.

The committee said the signing of the Bill is an affirmation of the quality of work the previous committee had placed into the public participation processes, and said it appreciated that Ramaphosa has "opened a window" for opponents of this law by asking for further input into the legislation.

RISE Mzansi National Spokesperson Gugu Ndima said the party believes that the Bill, which amends the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act, is not perfect, however, it says it is robust and will ensure that laws that regulate schooling adapt to changes in society and schooling.

"With communities becoming more diverse, RISE Mzansi believes that admission and language policies of schools must result from provincial heads of department and school governing bodies working together. This will eliminate perceived and real discrimination, especially based on language - giving weight to the right to quality education of all learners," said Ndima.

RISE Mzansi agreed with Ramaphosa that homeschooling needs to be appropriately regulated to meet quality education standards and protect the rights of children.

The party did express concerns about the penalties...

As tributes continue to pour in for former Minister Pravin Gordhan, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday remembered him as a principled and courageous freedom fighter, and said that the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill would affirm Gordhan's vision of a just and equal society, to which he dedicated his life.

Despite strong contestation against the Bill, Ramaphosa signed it into law at the Union Buildings, saying it was an important step in resolving challenges in the country's education system.

"It was President Nelson Mandela who said that it is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education. This law is part of our ongoing effort to create such a world. Since the advent of democracy we have made notable progress in expanding access to education for the children of our country. However, barriers to access still remain. In many respects, education outcomes fall short of what our society needs and what the young people of our country deserve. Our Constitution enshrines the right of all to a basic education," Ramaphosa said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), AfriForum, and the FW de Klerk Foundation have all hit back strongly against the Bill, now an Act, which they say will take away powers relating to language and admissions policies from school governing bodies (SGBs).

The DA warned of a "financial timebomb", saying presentations made to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament by the Financial and Fiscal Commission, earlier this year, revealed that the BELA Bill would cost R17.7-billion to implement at an absolute minimum.

DA Western Cape spokesperson on education Leon van Wyk said the Bill stood to bankrupt the education sector, as the country could not afford to implement it.

FW de Klerk Foundation Constitutional Programmes manager Daniela Ellerbeckit said the organisation was concerned about the criminalisation of parents should they fail to enrol their child from Grade R (Section 3(6) of the Act).

"The Foundation is concerned that the BELA Act goes against grassroots democracy by centralising powers away from parents and schools' local communities. It is also concerned that criminalising parents is the wrong solution, one which will disproportionately impact socio-economically vulnerable families," she said.

However, after challenging the Bill, AfriForum said on Friday that it now "welcomed a tactical breakthrough" on the law.

It said it met with Ramaphosa on Thursday to dispute certain aspects of the law, such as the head of the provincial Department of Education having the final say on schools' admission and language policies.

"A tactical breakthrough was made this morning in AfriForum, Solidarity and the Solidariteit Skoleondersteuningsentrum's fight against two unacceptable articles in the Basic Education Act that was just signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa. In what these organisations consider a win for Afrikaans communities, Ramaphosa decided to open Articles 4 and 5 of this law for further discussion and therefore not to implement it immediately. This serves as proof that public pressure can succeed," AfriForum said.

The implementation date for clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill will be delayed by three months, to allow for further engagement on the matter. Ramaphosa warned that if parties cannot agree on an approach, then those parts of the Bill will be implemented.

However, AfriForum warned that should discussions lead to "nothing", it would head to court.

"If it were to be implemented, it would be an act of aggression against the Afrikaans community that would not only break the 1994 settlement but also damage the spirit of the Government of National Unity (GNU)," it declared.

DA leader John Steenhuisen, who had warned of Ramaphosa jeopardising the GNU if he signed the Bill into law, also said the DA would be ready to head to court if the clauses were implemented.

Ramaphosa pointed to historical redress in advancing the right to basic educati...

Fellow politicians and others on Friday expressed their deepest condolences on the passing of former Minister of Public Enterprises and South African Revenue Service (Sars) Commissioner Pravin Gordhan.

Gordhan passed away at the age of 75 in the early hours of Friday morning, following a period of illness.

He passed away peacefully in hospital with his family, closest friends and his lifelong comrades in the liberation struggle, according to a statement.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed sadness at Gordhan's passing, saying South Africa had lost an "outstanding leader whose unassuming persona belied the depth of intellect, integrity and the energy with which he undertook his activism, his duty as a parliamentarian and his roles as a member of Cabinet."

Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017.

He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 until 2015, and as Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until his March 2024 announcement of planned retirement.

He was appointed Commissioner of Sars in 1999, after a period as Deputy Commissioner.

"Pravin Gordhan's personal sacrifices and his endeavours and achievements in various sectors of our society endowed him with the insights, empathy and resilience that fuelled his service to the nation," said Ramaphosa.

He further highlighted Gordhan's service to the nation as a beacon in the country's fight against corruption by standing up to corruption-marred former President Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa noted Gordhan's steeliness in the face of derision and threats emanating from some "who were scorched" by his insistence that justice be served on those who tried to undermine the country's democracy by raiding public resources and assets.

Ramaphosa offered his deep condolences to Gordhan's spouse, Vanitha Raju, daughters Anisha and Priyesha, as well as the former Minister's older brother Manecklal Gordhan, and sister Shanta Harilal.

The African National Congress (ANC) urged its members and citizens to honour Gordhan's memory by reaffirming their commitment to the "ideals of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa, that truly belongs to all its peoples".

ANC acting national spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi said Gordhan's "selfless dedication" to the values of the party and the people's struggle was a legacy the ANC must uphold as it continued to advance the principles of its Freedom Charter.

He said Gordhan's passing served as a solemn reminder that the work to transform South Africa was far from complete.

"Let us draw inspiration from his courage, dedication and unwavering resolve, as we continue our collective efforts to build a better, united and prosperous nation," he said.

Democratic Alliance Federal Council deputy chairperson Ashor Sarupen noted Gordhan's leadership as Sars Commissioner, which he said transformed the country's revenue services into a world-class institution, setting a foundation for economic stability and social upliftment.

"As Finance Minister, he stood as a bulwark against corruption, navigating the country through economic storms and protecting the treasury as part of the fight against State capture," Sarupen said.

He pointed out Gordhan's commitment to protecting democratic institutions, particularly during his time as Minister of Finance, and said this would forever be remembered as a cornerstone of his legacy.

"…his bravery in the face of immense pressure, as he stood firm to safeguard the nation's future, is an inspiration to all of us who strive for good governance and integrity," Sarupen said.

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba extended his condolences to Gordhan's loved ones, noting his contribution to South Africa's political and economic landscape over five decades, which he said was considerable.

RISE Mzansi national leader Songezo Zibi said his party would commemorate a life well lived in service of the country and its people, noting that Gordhan...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday announced its "resounding success" in winning 16 wards in by-elections held across the country, on Wednesday.

The party contested in 17 wards, in KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, North West and Limpopo, with the party's leader John Steenhuisen saying the results reflected the party's growth and highlighted the "unwavering trust" that South Africans were placing in the DA's ability to deliver clean, accountable governance.

In KwaZulu-Natal the DA won all by-elections it contested, including marginal wards.

"Our victories in eThekwini wards 33, 35 and 36, KwaDukuza Ward 6, and Umdoni Ward 15 are a testament to the party's exceptional growth in the province," noted Steenhuisen.

In eThekwini Ward 33, the party secured 80.5% of the vote, up from 39% in the 2024 national and provincial elections; Ward 35 saw an increase from 80.6% in the national and provincial elections to 91%; in Ward 36 it secured 92.6%, it dominated in KwaDukuza Ward 6 winning 98.7%, and in Umdoni Ward 15 it achieved 98%.

Steenhuisen said in the North West, residents had put their trust in the DA.

In JB Marks, the party celebrated winning Ward 7 with 93.53%, taking Ward 22 with 58.54%, and - delivering an "exceptional performance" - winning Ward 24 with 99.22%.

In Matlosana, the DA took Ward 39 with a sweeping 93.82%, and in Naledi it won Ward 7 with 78.97% of the vote.

The Free State was another area of success, where the DA retained control of wards 18, 20, 22 and 25 in Mangaung.

Steenhuisen pointed out that in Ward 18 the DA increased support from 65.6% in 2021 to 85.23% in 2024; in Ward 20 it grew from 75.1% to 98.40%; it increased its support from 74.2% to 97.36% in Ward 22, while the DA's support also rose from 79.8% to 97.78% in Ward 25.

In Ward 35 in Matjhabeng, also in the Free State, the DA retained control with a slight increase from 45.8% to 46.02%.

In Limpopo, the DA retained Ward 3 in Lephalale with a majority in a hotly contested race, Steenhuisen noted.

"These victories are a clear signal that the DA is the party of choice for those who seek competent, transparent governance. As we move towards the 2026 local government elections, the DA remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing effective, service-driven governance to every corner of South Africa," he explained.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will cut its repo rate by 25 basis points to 8.00% at its September 19 meeting as slowing inflation opens the door to easier policy for the first time since its Covid-19 response over four years ago, economists say.

Eighteen of 21 economists surveyed in the past week said the SARB would cut by 25 basis points (bps) next week and other three expected rates to be held at 8.25%.

Median forecasts showed it would do so again in the next three quarters to reach 7.25% in May.

Inflation in Africa's most industrialised nation slowed to an over three-year low in July by 0.5 percentage points to 4.6%, closing in on the central bank's 3%-6% midpoint and giving the Reserve Bank a clear shot at cutting rates in coming days and months.

It is expected to average 4.7% this year and slow to 4.3% next year, 0.2 percentage points lower than last month's poll predictions for both years.

In an additional question, seven of eight economists said it was unlikely the SARB delivers a 50-basis point cut in any of its meetings this year, signalling a lower conviction for bigger cuts.

"The SARB will have ample justification to cut rates faster than expectations given headline CPI is moving notably below their expectations, helped by multiple cuts in fuel prices," said independent economist Elize Kruger.

"But the SARB remains notoriously conservative, and especially given recent comments ... they will likely only cut in 25bps increments, but they are clearly behind the curve in my opinion," added Kruger.

The last time the SARB cut rates by more than 50 bps was in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The conservative nature of the SARB, coupled with its view that South Africa's policy rate is also only around 100bps away from what it considers 'neutral' means that cutting in 50bps increments seems unlikely to us at this juncture," wrote Jeffrey Schultz, chief economist for CEEMEA markets at BNP Paribas.

In a separate Reuters poll, the US Federal Reserve is expected to lower its rates by 25bps at each of its three remaining policy meetings this year, according to a majority of economists, setting the stage for cuts across the world.

Emerging market central banks have been careful not to cut in deeper magnitudes than the Fed due to worries of alienating capital inflows that often bolster local currencies, however the likes of Brazil have cut rates when it felt it was warranted.

"It would take a material weakening in global and domestic economic activity (hard landing for the global economy), rather than something idiosyncratic in the domestic inflation picture for the SARB to change tack and adopt a more aggressive easing stance," added BNP Paribas' Schultz.

Most emerging market currencies will see no further gains for the rest of this year despite an expected series of interest rate cuts from the US Fed, a cautious prospect for rate cuts, another poll earlier this month suggested.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said on Thursday that conflict over policy in the Government of National Unity (GNU) is not necessarily an existential threat, however, that does not mean that the DA will never walk away from the GNU under any circumstances.

Steenhuisen gave an address to the Cape Town Press Club, a day after Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya warned party leaders against threatening the stability of the GNU.

This after the DA warned President Cyril Ramaphosa against signing the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law, saying if he did, he would be violating the letter and spirit of the joint Statement of Intent, that forms the basis of the GNU.

Steenhuisen said his party would not shy away from conflict when it was confronted with actions that would inflict "serious and lasting damage" to the country or to the Constitution that underpins the country's democracy.

He said it was the DA's priority to grow the economy and create jobs, saying if the GNU could not do that, there was no point being part of it.

"Indeed, if the African National Congress (ANC) insists on taking South Africa down the path to economic ruin, it would be the DA's patriotic duty to leave the government and use our position in Parliament to stop the slide into catastrophe," he said.

The DA could never in good conscience be party to an assault on the Constitution, Steenhuisen stated.

"…the DA will not crash the government unless the government is crashing the economy or trashing the Constitution," he asserted.

The DA, other political parties and some from civil society do not want Ramaphosa to sign the BELA Bill, as it is, into law on Friday.

"…among other issues, we believe the Bill compromises the rights of children to mother-tongue education. That is why I met the President on BELA yesterday.

But if the President goes ahead tomorrow, the DA will have to consider all of our options on the way forward," Steenhuisen said.

He pointed out that with 22% of the vote, the DA could not always get its own way inside the government.

"…actually, it would be undemocratic if we did. So, I want our supporters, old and new, to accept that. It's how democracy works. Having said that, we will not accept a situation in which we get none of our priorities implemented. That, too, is undemocratic," he said.

He explained that the DA held a balance of power in the GNU, highlighting that without the party's support in Parliament, the government does not have a majority.

"Our first instinct inside the GNU will always be to find common ground in the interest of South Africa. We have already proved this. We are working together with the ANC on every initiative that will take South Africa forward, and there is a long list of overlapping policies we have agreed on," he highlighted.

He explained that in a multi-party government leaders needed to respect the constraints and imperatives of their partners, however, he said any leader that tried to "ride roughshod" over their partners would "pay a price".

He said the same applied to the National Health Insurance (NHI), noting that the GNU needed to find solutions to the aspects of the NHI plan that Steenhuisen said could do lasting damage to South Africa, and government's ability to deliver healthcare to everybody.

"If we can find those solutions collaboratively we would be delighted. If we can't, we will pursue the interests of the South African people through every other legal means at our disposal," he said.

South Africa will head to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October to present evidence to prove that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine.

Israel has repeatedly dismissed claims of genocide, as deadly attacks continue.

South Africa's case against Israel has been joined by Nicaragua, Palestine, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, Libya and Colombia.

"South Africa will be filing its memorial to the ICJ next month. This case will continue until the court makes a finding. While the case is in progress, we hope that Israel will abide by the court's provisional orders issued to date," the Presidency said on Wednesday.

In July the ICJ concluded that Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and that it is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence as rapidly as possible.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday cited confusion about its values, infighting in its ranks and poor leadership, when it hit out at ActionSA in the City of Tshwane.

DA Tshwane spokesperson Kwena Moloto said ActionSA could no longer be relied on to ensure stable, effective government in the country's capital.

"Whatever its outward pretensions, ActionSA intends to vote in favour of a motion of no confidence in Mayor Cilliers Brink whenever such a motion is tabled. Having failed to clinch a deal with other parties, it is now content to bring down the coalition and then to try its luck with a new deal," he said.

Moloto said while ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont said the party was still reviewing its participation in the Tshwane coalition, party leader Herman Mashaba had already made it clear that ActionSA would prefer to have the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as a coalition partner.

This sentiment is shared by the party's Tshwane caucus leader Jackie Mathebathe, Moloto added, saying it was Mathebathe who announced to the media that ActionSA had resolved to withdraw from the Tshwane multi-party coalition.

Moloto said that while Mathebathe's remarks were later contradicted by Beaumont, it was Mathebathe who expressed the views of the party's leader Mashaba.

He noted that on Tuesday Mathebathe told the media that ActionSA had not yet decided, holding the line of the so-called "review", however in a Facebook post, he stated that 'the days of white monopoly in Tshwane are numbered'.

He said Mathebathe's post made it clear that he intended to bring down the multi-party coalition in Tshwane by voting in favour of the motion of no confidence in Brink.

He said, in the past few weeks, the DA and its partners in the Tshwane multi-party coalition had made "every attempt" to persuade ActionSA to not withdraw from the coalition, and to stop it from making public attacks on the coalition government.

"Not only has Mayor Cilliers Brink reached out to ActionSA's national leadership, but the coalition management committee in Tshwane has written to ActionSA's local leadership to invoke its obligations in terms of our coalition agreement," Moloto added.

He said ActionSA leaders had behaved "as if they are not bound by any coalition agreement", and was not happy that internal party processes took precedence over the commitments it made with its coalition partners.

Moloto said ActionSA was gambling with the future of the City of Tshwane, and the lives of Tshwane residents.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has warned President Cyril Ramaphosa against signing the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law, saying if he does, he will violate the letter and spirit of the joint Statement of Intent, that forms the basis of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Ramaphosa is due to sign the BELA Bill into law on Friday, which aims to strengthen governance within South Africa's education sector.

The BELA Bill was passed in the National Assembly on May 17.

The Bill is subject to much public opposition owing to its removal of powers from parents and giving some powers to the State.

Steenhuisen revealed that during the GNU negotiations, the DA made it clear that the BELA Bill was unacceptable in its current form, citing constitutional implications for the right to mother-tongue education, amongst other issues.

The DA urged Ramaphosa to send the Bill back to Parliament for a few simple amendments to bring it in line with the Constitution.

"Despite this, and in violation of the provisions of the Statement of Intent, the President seems intent on pushing ahead unilaterally. I have moved urgently to meet the President before Friday to re-iterate our objections in the strongest terms. I will also submit to him the simple amendments the DA requires and urge him to use his powers to send the Bill back to Parliament," said Steenhuisen.

He warned that should Ramaphosa continue to "ride rough-shod" over objections to the Bill, he would be "endangering the future of the GNU and destroying the good faith on which it was based."

Steenhuisen said the establishment of a dispute resolution mechanism must now be a priority to ensure that all parties uphold the letter and spirit of the Statement of Intent.

Other civil society organisations also weighed in, expressing concerns with the Bill, with the FW de Klerk Foundation and AfriForum saying they remained steadfast in their commitment to opposing the Bill.

LEGAL ACTION

Meanwhile, ActionSA and AfriForum have threatened legal action if Ramaphosa signs the Bill into law.

ActionSA expressed disappointment with Ramaphosa's intentions to sign the Bill, however, it said it is unsurprised that despite intensive efforts by civil society, teachers, and political parties, the "flawed" Bill will be signed.

ActionSA Parliamentary Caucus Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni highlighted that if the DA was in an equal partnership in the "Grand Coalition", the proposed signing of the Bill ought to have been halted.

"...however, President Ramaphosa seems determined to run roughshod over the Minister of Basic Education, who is opposed to the Bill," she said.

Ngobeni pointed out that while the Bill's stated intentions may be "admirable", the party believes it amounts to a power grab by the Basic Education Minister, who the party said will be enabled to set a school's language policy regardless of what a School Governing Body (SGB) decides, and limits parents' ability to decide whether to home-school their children.

Furthermore, while the Bill proposes the "welcomed inclusion" of mandatory Grade R for all pupils, but without a clear understanding of the curriculum framework, affordability raises concerns, she added.

"This is why ActionSA believes a full costing of mandatory Grade R should be completed before the Bill is assented by President Ramaphosa. The conducive learning environment that home-schooling provides should be recognised, and SGBs should retain control to decide the language policy of their respective schools. SGBs should also be empowered to determine and allow for religious practices at public schools while respective the rights and beliefs of all South Africans," said Ngobeni.

ActionSA also opposed the blanket lifting of the ban on the sale of alcohol at schools proposed in the Bill.

AfriForum announced that its legal team is ready to take steps against the Bill's implementation as soon as it is signed by Ramaphosa.

AfriForum's Head of Cultural Affairs Alana...

South Africa, which already faces a heavy bill to upgrade its port, rail and electricity infrastructure, needs R307-billion to repair and improve its sprawling national road system.

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) requires design and construction work on 1 437 projects, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said in a presentation to lawmakers in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Repair work by the company, which manages 4% of the nation's 750 000-kilometer road network, has been dogged by delays caused by challenges ranging from contractors going out of business to extortion by organised crime, Creecy said.

Firms brought in to complete the work when a contractor quit due to demands by criminals have included China Communications Construction Co., she said.

South Africa's road network is the 11th-longest in the world, while Sanral's small portion of that carries 70% of the nation's long-distance freight. The costly outlook reflects similar projections for other State-owned companies.

Power utility Eskom faces a R390 billion upgrade of the electricity grid to add more generation from clean-energy sources. Transnet needs to spend billions to improve signalling systems and repair trains that are inoperable without spare parts.

Provincial road projects have design and construction budgets averaging about R17-billion annually through 2027, the presentation showed, along with a more extensive list of incomplete, abandoned and delayed projects.

Creecy recommended support for the transport department "through leadership reform within the police to reinforce governance structure" and strengthening project monitoring.