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IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Teacher unions divided on Bela Act guidelines
New guidelines for the implementation of the 2024 amendments to the South African Schools Act have sparked a fierce debate among education stakeholders. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The Department of Basic Education's newly released Guidelines for the Implementation of the 2024 Amendments to the South African Schools Act have sparked a sharp divide among education stakeholders. Issued to MECs for Education and provincial heads of departments, the guidelines aim to clarify the interpretation and rollout of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA), focusing on contentious areas such as language policy, admissions, and the role of school governing bodies (SGB). Civil society organisation Free SA has welcomed the guidelines, calling them a victory for constitutional governance, while the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) has outright rejected the guidelines, calling them unlawful and politically motivated. Free SA, a constitutional rights advocacy group, applauded Minister Siviwe Gwarube, a member of the DA, and her team for incorporating core democratic principles into the guidelines. 'Free SA commends minister Gwarube for her leadership and responsiveness,' said spokesperson Reuben Coetzer. 'By anchoring these guidelines in the Constitution and administrative justice, she has taken a vital step in protecting the democratic ethos of South African schooling.' The organisation said many of the recommendations it submitted in a January 2024 memorandum have been adopted. These include the use of clear and objective standards for the assessment of admission and language policies, time-bound appeal procedures, and protections for SGBs from arbitrary interference. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'SGBs cannot be dissolved or stripped of functions without a documented failure, due process, and an opportunity for rectification,' said Coetzer. However, SADTU issued a scathing media statement, accusing the Minister of acting outside the limits of her legal authority. 'The minister seems confused about her legal authority in terms of the Constitution,' the union said. 'She cannot exercise a power she does not have in law.' SADTU general secretary Dr Mugwena Maluleke said the union had written to the minister several times through its lawyers, warning that BELA does not authorise her to issue guidelines with legal effect. 'The law is clear that the Minister is only allowed to make regulations, not guidelines, in terms of the BELA Act,' the union stated. It went further, alleging that the release of the guidelines is part of the DA's political strategy to hinder full implementation of BELA, particularly sections dealing with language and admissions. 'We therefore demand that the Minister retract these guidelines and stop delaying tactics. We want the process to be lawful and be speeded up,' said Maluleke, urging schools, MECs, and SGB members to ignore the guidelines. In contrast, the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) took a more constructive tone. Naptosa provincial CEO Thirona Moodley said the guidelines are 'fair to all stakeholders and do not impose unnecessarily on the jurisdiction of any stakeholder.' She added that Naptosa has representatives on all BELA regulation drafting committees and is confident that the final regulations will be practical and clear. 'Our reps are able to identify with the needs of the schools, thereby making valuable input from that perspective,' she said. Moodley encouraged public participation once the draft regulations are released. While the department has clarified that these are interim, non-binding guidelines, Free SA said they set an encouraging precedent for how BELA can be implemented without undermining constitutional values. The group said it would remain vigilant in monitoring the next phase of regulation development. Meanwhile responding to questions in the Basic Education Portfolio Committee yesterday, Minister Gwarube said that regulations regarding the Act would be published by the end of this month. "We made a commitment last year that by the end of June, the regulations would be out and published for the public. We are not at the end of June.' Gwarube also said the drafting of the regulations was an intricate process. 'It is not done by the minister. It is done by the legal team within the department in conjunction with the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor. That is the legal process we must allow to take its course. The regulations don't delay the implementation of the Act. "The Act is in force and implementable. The regulations seek to give clarity on certain parts of the Act and how they should be implemented.' THE MERCURY
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Straining to support: South Africa's social grants are vital but can the state keep up?
Economic challenges and the future of social grants in South Africa Image: Tracy Adams Social relief of distress, or social grants, is a key part of South Africa's welfare system; however, recent data indicates that its role is increasingly strained, raising concerns about sustainability, economic growth, and social cohesion. According to the latest General Household Survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), an unprecedented 40.1% of the population - approximately 25.4 million individuals-now rely on social grants. This marks a significant increase from previous years and reflects a steady rise in dependence, particularly amid persistent unemployment and economic challenges. Risenga Maluleke, Statistician-General of South Africa, noted that the country's official unemployment rate hit 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025. Such figures highlight the stark depth of economic hardship many face, with social grants serving as a vital safety net without sufficient employment opportunities. Paul Maritz, Director at Free SA, a foundation advocating for rights, equality, and systemic reform, highlighted the gravity of this dependence. 'The growing reliance on social grants - now affecting over 25 million people — highlights deep socio-economic challenges and the urgent need for structural change,' he explained. 'Our proposed Power to the People Amendment aims to address these issues by reducing waste, devolving policing, and breaking monopolies that hinder economic opportunity.' Maritz warned that 'sustained dependence on grants without parallel investment in job creation risks entrenching a welfare economy that stifles individual potential and hampers long-term growth.' He warned that if current trends persist, South Africa's economy could face stagnation, shrinking tax bases, and rising inequality-all threatening social stability. The fiscal burden of social grants is significant. In 2011, the South African government allocated around 3.5% of GDP to social assistance, which has grown over the years. The Centre for Global Development estimated that expenditure on social grants, particularly the Child Support Grant (CSG), reached nearly ZAR31 billion (approximately US$4.2 billion) in 2010-11. Instead, they argued that they serve as a necessary-but insufficient-measure to support those unable to provide for themselves. "While grants have helped improve food security, children's well-being, and school attendance,' Maritz warned that they are not a long-term solution to poverty. 'Overdependence can distort labor markets. When social assistance becomes a substitute for employment, it can disincentivize active job-seeking and skills development. 'Countries with more developed economies often implement prerequisites or conditions tied to grants, encouraging recipients to pursue upskilling or community participation.' He added that the current approach risks creating a stagnating workforce and reducing overall productivity in South Africa, thereby hindering economic growth and perpetuating inequality. 'Ironically, the system designed to reduce inequality may inadvertently reinforce it if not paired with empowerment strategies. 'Without access to meaningful employment, quality education, and secure communities, social mobility remains elusive for many beneficiaries.' Furthermore, dependence on grants without addressing the root causes-unemployment, corruption, and inefficient public services-could erode trust in institutions. Maritz warned that 'a society where millions feel trapped and unheard is inherently unstable,' stressing the need for comprehensive reforms.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Welfare State? Concerns grow over South Africa's unsustainable rising dependence on social grants
Economic challenges and the future of social grants in South Africa Image: Tracy Adams Social relief of distress, or social grants, is a key part of South Africa's welfare system; however, recent data indicates that its role is increasingly strained, raising concerns about sustainability, economic growth, and social cohesion. According to the latest General Household Survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), an unprecedented 40.1% of the population - approximately 25.4 million individuals-now rely on social grants. This marks a significant increase from previous years and reflects a steady rise in dependence, particularly amid persistent unemployment and economic challenges. Risenga Maluleke, Statistician-General of South Africa, noted that the country's official unemployment rate hit 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025. Such figures highlight the stark depth of economic hardship many face, with social grants serving as a vital safety net without sufficient employment opportunities. Paul Maritz, Director at Free SA, a foundation advocating for rights, equality, and systemic reform, highlighted the gravity of this dependence. 'The growing reliance on social grants - now affecting over 25 million people — highlights deep socio-economic challenges and the urgent need for structural change,' he explained. 'Our proposed Power to the People Amendment aims to address these issues by reducing waste, devolving policing, and breaking monopolies that hinder economic opportunity.' Maritz warned that 'sustained dependence on grants without parallel investment in job creation risks entrenching a welfare economy that stifles individual potential and hampers long-term growth.' He warned that if current trends persist, South Africa's economy could face stagnation, shrinking tax bases, and rising inequality-all threatening social stability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The fiscal burden of social grants is significant. In 2011, the South African government allocated around 3.5% of GDP to social assistance, which has grown over the years. The Centre for Global Development estimated that expenditure on social grants, particularly the Child Support Grant (CSG), reached nearly ZAR31 billion (approximately US$4.2 billion) in 2010-11. Instead, they argued that they serve as a necessary-but insufficient-measure to support those unable to provide for themselves. "While grants have helped improve food security, children's well-being, and school attendance,' Maritz warned that they are not a long-term solution to poverty. 'Overdependence can distort labor markets. When social assistance becomes a substitute for employment, it can disincentivize active job-seeking and skills development. 'Countries with more developed economies often implement prerequisites or conditions tied to grants, encouraging recipients to pursue upskilling or community participation.' He added that the current approach risks creating a stagnating workforce and reducing overall productivity in South Africa, thereby hindering economic growth and perpetuating inequality. 'Ironically, the system designed to reduce inequality may inadvertently reinforce it if not paired with empowerment strategies. 'Without access to meaningful employment, quality education, and secure communities, social mobility remains elusive for many beneficiaries.' Furthermore, dependence on grants without addressing the root causes-unemployment, corruption, and inefficient public services-could erode trust in institutions. Maritz warned that 'a society where millions feel trapped and unheard is inherently unstable,' stressing the need for comprehensive reforms.
eNCA
10-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Call for end to state-owned monopolies
FRANKFURT - Free SA has drafted its proposed Power to the People Constitutional Amendment Bill. It will be presented to Parliament by the end of May. WATCH | Parliament ready for third budget 2025 It calls for a Cabinet to be kept to a maximum of 15 Ministers and 15 Deputies. Policing will be devolved to provinces and will be community based. The group also calls for an end to state-owned monopolies.
eNCA
01-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Many willing workers, not enough jobs
JOHANNESBURG - Workers' Day is meant to honour the dignity of labour and the rights of workers. But the Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality has one question for government: Where are the jobs? Free SA says that for over 12 million South Africans, there is very little to celebrate on this public holiday. Free SA spokesperson Noluthando Hlophoyi unpacks this further.
