AfriForum collects 100k signatures against BELA Act in 24 hours
SHARE POST:
AfriForum’s petition against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA) has gained significant traction, surpassing 150,000 signatures within the last 24 hours, with expectations that the total will soon exceed 200,000. The surge in support caused such heavy traffic to the organisation’s “Stop BELA” website that additional server capacity had to be deployed to handle the influx.
Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, noted that the strong public response reflects deep opposition to what is perceived as an assault on Afrikaans schools and, by extension, the Afrikaans-speaking community. The contentious provisions of the Act, particularly Articles 4 and 5, which pertain to school admissions and language policies, have been a focal point of concern.
Following discussions between AfriForum, Solidarity, and President Cyril Ramaphosa, a significant development was achieved. When signing the Act on 13 September 2024, the President announced that the implementation of the disputed articles would be delayed for a further three months, allowing for continued debate on the matter.
Bailey views this concession as a testament to the efficacy of public pressure. “The President’s willingness to engage and postpone these provisions shows that sustained opposition can yield results,” she remarked. AfriForum has urged those who have not yet done so to add their voices to the petition at “www.stopbela.co.za,” emphasising that each signature strengthens its negotiating position in ongoing discussions about the future of Afrikaans education.
Independent news and opinion from the Cape of Good Hope for readers who value good old common sense. We focus on what really matters in South Africa.
Interested in joining the movement? Find ways to get involved
GET NOTIFIED FOR NEW CONTENT
read more
Muslim fashions, Islamophobia, and Minister Cassim
Cassim has recently drawn abuse on social media for the outward signs of his religion. Why him, and not others? The answer, paradoxically, is globalisation
Lvl 8 Orange storm warning for Garden Route
The cold front has triggered the second-highest storm warning category, and an already overstratched disaster budget will need to be extended
Future growth of Masi township beyond Lochiel Road in Cape Town’s deep south
Questions continue over the City’s Masi planning process as residents in Noordhoek and Kommetjie are urged to organise and push back against irresponsible governance.
Power at the cost of principle
The DA has learned to make several foxlike Machiavellian moves, gaining and retaining significant power. But their commitment to their voter base has taken a backseat.
Cape History Month: “Het Vlek aan de Caab”
To mark the date of the founding of Cape Town, we are publishing a series of three articles on the history of the city. This first installment covers Dutch rule, 1952-1795
BVA proposes solutions for Tokai High School
