SADTU describes Gwarube appointment as an ‘affront’
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) says it is disappointed with the decision to appoint the DA’s Siviwe Gwarube as basic education minister.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new executive at the Union Buildings on Sunday evening.
SADTU represents more than 250,000 teachers and workers in the education sector and is also affiliated with ANC alliance partner Cosatu.
The union’s Deputy General Secretary, Nkosana Dolopi, has accused President Ramaphosa of giving the DA a platform to destroy unions.
"We are disappointed, notably with the basic education minister. Having acknowledged that we have no powers to dictate to the president whom to appoint, Siviwe Gwarube of the DA is an affront to SADTU.
“The DA has always made SADTU its enemy number one. Even its election manifesto declared war against SADTU, lamenting that the union was too strong and must be dealt with. The trade union said the DA remains a party that is against transformation and worker rights.
"The DA refuses to acknowledge the role of colonial and apartheid education systems, which entrenched inequalities for centuries and decades, but puts the blame on SADTU, teachers and learners.
"Therefore, no amount of persuasion can convince SADTU that the DA accepted the position in order to ensure quality and equitable education. Their motive is to weaken the unions, in particular SADTU.”
The DA has been a vocal opponent of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, which proposes several changes to the South African Schools Act, including the transfer of control to the education department in determining a school's language policy and curriculums.
The party believes the bill is an attack on mother tongue education.
The controversial bill was passed by Parliament earlier this year but is yet to be signed into law.
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