South Africa’s Coalition Government Faces Collapse Over Education Bill

South Africa’s fragile coalition government, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is on the brink of collapse following a heated dispute over a controversial education bill. The Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in the coalition, has issued a stern warning that the president’s plan to approve the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill will violate the terms of their coalition agreement and threaten the stability of the government of national unity.
The BELA Bill, which is set to be signed into law by Ramaphosa on Friday, proposes several significant changes to South Africa's basic education laws. The most contentious aspect of the bill grants the education department increased power to determine language policy and admission criteria for government schools. This has sparked concerns among some groups that the legislation could undermine the right to mother-tongue education, particularly in Afrikaans.
The DA, which reluctantly joined forces with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the May elections, argues that the bill contradicts the coalition agreement. According to DA leader John Steenhuisen, the party made it clear during coalition negotiations that the BELA Bill was unacceptable in its current form due to its potential constitutional implications. The party has urged Ramaphosa to send the bill back to parliament for amendments to align it with the constitution.
“The DA regards this issue in the most serious light, and I will convey to the president the destructive implications it holds for the future of the GNU (Government of National Unity),” Steenhuisen stated, calling for an urgent meeting with Ramaphosa before the bill is signed.
The dispute over the BELA Bill is the first major crack in the coalition government, which was formed as a compromise after the ANC failed to secure a parliamentary majority. The coalition agreement included a proposal for a dispute-resolution mechanism, but this has yet to be implemented, leaving the government vulnerable to conflicts such as this one.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has downplayed the crisis, emphasizing that disagreements over legislation are normal in any coalition. “There shouldn't be any concern that each time there's a dispute, the entire governance framework of this country will be under threat,” Magwenya told reporters in Cape Town. He also stated that the president is not worried about the coalition collapsing and that discussions are underway to establish a formal dispute-resolution mechanism.
Labor union Solidarity and other groups representing South Africa’s white Afrikaans-speaking community have been among the most vocal opponents of the BELA Bill. They argue that the bill could end Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in public schools and give the government excessive control over educational policies. Dirk Herman, Chief Executive Officer of Solidarity, described the signing of the bill as an “act of aggression” in an open letter to Ramaphosa.
The ANC, however, defends the bill as a necessary step to address ongoing issues of racial exclusion in South African schools. The ruling party argues that language has often been used as a proxy for racial segregation, with some children still being excluded from certain schools based on the language of instruction. The ANC believes that the BELA Bill will help promote greater integration in the country’s education system.
The escalating dispute over the BELA Bill has raised concerns about the future of South Africa’s coalition government. While Ramaphosa has called for restraint and dialogue, the DA’s strong opposition and threats to withdraw from the coalition could destabilize the government. The outcome of this conflict will likely depend on whether the parties can agree on a compromise or if the president will proceed with signing the bill as planned.
As the signing ceremony looms, all eyes are on Pretoria to see how Ramaphosa will navigate this political crisis and whether the fragile unity government will survive its first real test.