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.

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