Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Friday promised that government will invest in speedy policy execution and implementation to ensure that the critical transformation policy contributions made by South Africa’s first democratic Minister of Education Professor Sibusiso Bengu are not undermined and that they continue to drive change in the sector.

Bengu was bestowed a Special Official Category 2 Funeral by President Cyril Ramaphosa, following his death on December 30, at the age of 90.

Mashatile delivered the eulogy at the funeral, which was held at the University of Zululand, in KwaZulu-Natal, where he said Bengu introduced many key pieces of legislation that shaped democratic South Africa’s education system.

In transforming the country’s education system, Mashatile said government will ensure that the full implementation of the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act takes place as soon as possible.

Ramaphosa signed the BELA Bill into law, in September last year, despite a significant degree of public rejection and concern over its constitutionality.

He placed on hold two clauses of the Bill for three months to find solutions to the concerns around them.

Should no solutions be found, it will be implemented fully, he said.

Some political parties and civil society organisations have been vocal about the Bill, saying in its current form, it would deprive children of mother-tongue education in single-medium schools.

Mashatile noted that the BELA law grants provincial education departments greater control over school admission policies, language practices, and codes of conduct, while respecting the cultural and religious beliefs of learners.

“The BELA Acts seeks to ensure that in line with the changing socio-political, economic, and geographical landscape in South Africa, all learners have equal and fair access to quality basic education that the country can offer,” he said.

He pointed out that government’s goal is to create much-needed employment while also ensuring that many young people have meaningful participation in the economy.

Mashatile said government’s task is to ensure that the State, as well as institutions of higher education, and the private sector, will expand the ten growth sectors, which include finance, manufacturing, agriculture, business.

He said government will focus on growing an inclusive economy and reducing the cost of living.

BENGU’S LEGACY

In honouring Bengu, Mashatile said government is reaching out to the intelligentsia in society, particularly in universities, to continue to work with the government to deal with societal and economic challenges.

As the first Minister of Education in a democratic South Africa, Bengu played a pivotal role in the transformation of a deeply “flawed and unequal” education system of the apartheid era, Mashatile noted.

He added that Bengu's notable contributions include his advocacy for inclusive governance and for solving society's inherent injustices.

“As a champion of education, Prof Bengu has been instrumental in demolishing the apartheid structure of our country's education sector. In multiple ways, Prof Bengu exemplified perfection, and never undermined any task or responsibilities assigned to him. He served in every portfolio with the intention of improving the lives of the majority, never accepting a position out of self-interest,” Mashatile said.

Government is also encouraging the student fraternity, to maintain its position at the forefront of finding enduring solutions to the country’s challenges, as they have done in the past.

“As the Professor has taught us, we should understand the connection between education and development. We must continue to address challenges related to access to better education. An educated society has better prospects for a better future and breaking the shackles of poverty and injustice.

“Educated populations correspond with national economic growth and, both directly and indirectly, increase economic productivity,” Mashatile said.