This marks a first for the organisation, who have until now not waded into parliamentary politics. But the group considers it a vital question for their cultural survival.
AfriForum has called on the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+) to reconsider their participation in the Government of National Unity (GNU) should the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act proceed unchanged. The civic group argues that the legislation poses a threat to Afrikaans-language schools and has accused elements within the African National Congress (ANC) and the Department of Education of undermining dialogue on the matter.
This marks a first for the organisation, which has until now stayed out of party politics. The effect of the Solidariteit movement, of which AfriForum is a part, taking a stance against parliamentary parties could have a large impact, given the large portion of the Afrikaner population they represent, who are an essential electoral bloc for both the DA and the VF+.
AfriForum contends that the GNU, intended to foster political cooperation, risks becoming a mere tool for implementing ANC-driven policies like the BELA Act, with little input from other parties. The organisation is ramping up its opposition, with over 215,000 people signing a petition against the bill.
The AfriFroum Board of Directors decided unanimously on the stance.
Kallie Kriel released a video press statement today, saying:
"We decided this when it became clear that there is a group of anti-Afrikaans activists, not only in the ANC, also in Gauteng government, and even amongst senior officials in the department of education, that were acting contemptuously towards President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to create an opportunity for further discussions. This group is openly out to derail constructive discussions. The hope that the GNU has ushered in a new era of cooperation will of course be dashed if it turns out the ANC has simply coopted the DA and VF+ to blindly follow and implement ANC policies. Afrikaans speakers do not have, like other cultural groups, a large traditional area in which their culture is promoted. Afrikaans schools do play a central role in the survival of Afrikaans cultural communities. For us, this is not just a fight against the Act, it is a fight for cultural survival."
This development underscores a growing rift between AfriForum and parties within the GNU, as tensions over educational reform deepen. Should the BELA Act pass without amendment, AfriForum’s call may pressure the DA and FF+ to reassess their alignment with the ANC’s broader legislative agenda.
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