Ramaphosa Defends Unity Amid Education Bill Row

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the unity of his government following tensions over an education bill. The bill, which affects language policy in schools, has been met with criticism from coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance. Ramaphosa insists the government remains durable despite differences.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the durability of his unity government on Friday after tensions flared over a contentious education bill. The bill, aimed at integrating schools that teach in Afrikaans, has caused friction between Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC) and its main coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA).

"We come from different histories and are driven by different ideological outlooks, but the government of national unity is durable," Ramaphosa stated, addressing media concerns that the coalition could collapse. He expressed confidence, noting, "I have confidence in the durability of the GNU because anything else is just too ghastly to contemplate."

The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill grants the education department authority to approve school boards' language policies to prevent discrimination, a move the ANC argues is necessary to combat exclusion based on language. The DA, however, contends the bill infringes on the right to mother-tongue education and has vowed to challenge it in court.

(With inputs from agencies.)