AfriForum, the Democratic Alliance and numerous other groups opposed to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act took part in a protest in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Many in the march were clad in orange with placards that read: “My Kulture”, ”My Skool“ and ”StopBela”. A lot of individuals claimed that the BELA is a threat that would obliterate the Afrikaans language and customs in schools.
The BELA Act was signed into law in September, but to allow for more consultation, President Cyril Ramaphosa delayed the execution of two of its sections, one dealing with language.
“We will continue to go into that process with open hands and then that’s willing to look at ways for us to find a compromise. I think we can do it, I don’t think that there are certain safeguards that communities are looking for and I think we can do it,” said DA leader, John Steenhuisen.
South African’s reaction seem to be overwhelmingly against the DA.
“The use of orange is not a coincidence. This is a meeting of people who are suffering from apartheid nostalgia. When you forgive people who never asked for forgiveness. They will never be remorseful,” posted an X (Twitter) user.
The use of orange is not a coincidence. This is a meeting of people who are suffering from apartheid nostalgia. When you forgive people who never asked for forgiveness. They will never be remorseful.
— Miss Tick (@AllNewsNetwork2) November 5, 2024
Afrikaans Dutch Holland Bela Bela Bill pic.twitter.com/q3ejedkKMB
Another commented that when the DA claims it’s fighting for the rights of indigenous languages, it means protecting Afrikaans. “Black child, know your politicians”.
Let’s be clear
— Kim Heller (@kimheller3) November 5, 2024
When the DA says it is marching for the rights of indigenous languages it means the protection of Afrikaans
Black child, know your politicians
Bela Bill pic.twitter.com/iCJ3of1895
One individual resurfaced an old picture of what appears to be black children segregated from their white classmates, claiming that this is what the DA wants.
“This (these) evil Afrikaners are protesting for this, WAKE UP. They don’t want government to allow black children in “white” schools. It’s that simple,” he wrote.
This evil Afrikaners are protesting for this, WAKE UP
— KGABO MALEMA (@malema_pk) November 5, 2024
They don’t want government to allow Black children in “white” schools.
is that simple
This evil Afrikaans 🚮![CDATA[]]>🚮 pic.twitter.com/LBCBkMri2W
A woman added that she supports the BELA Act because her child was denied access to a school that is close to her house and given one that is far from home.
She said it is because the nearby school was an ‘Afrikaans’ one.
“We had chosen English as a medium when applying online. This apartheid towards children must stop.”
I support the BELA Act my child was denied access to a school right by her house and given a school far from home bcos all the school around us are 'Afrikaans' schools and we had chosen English as a medium when applying online. This apartheid towards children must stop
— Zintle Zimbini (@ZinhleMamfengu) November 5, 2024
IOL