Despite being part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) the Democratic Alliance (DA) says it won’t budge when it comes to the National Health Insurance (NHI) and the recently-signed Basic Education Amendment Laws (BELA).
DA leader John Steenhuisen said this as the party outlined its key priorities on Friday, 11 October, to mark the first 100 days of the GNU.
DA STILL AGAINST NHI AND BELA ACTS
The DA has always been against the recently signed BELA Act labelling it as an attack on mother-tongue education
Ahead of the signing ceremony on 13 September, Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube who is a Democratic Alliance (DA) member boycotted the signing ceremony citing concerns about the constitutionality of the language policies and the compulsory admission of learners to Grade R.Â
However, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he will delay the implementation of clauses 4 and 5 of which are a concern to many, for three months in order to engage with those who are against them.
‘HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME WILL BANKRUPT SA’
Likewise, the party has always rejected the NHI which Ramaphosa signed into lawahead of the national and provincial elections in May saying it is a cheap political ploy that will not address the dire state of public healthcare in all provinces.Â
The party also filed a complaint with the Public Service Commission. It said its complaint to the PSC is lodged in terms of the Commission’s mandate, as outlined in section 196 (4)(a-c) of the Constitution.Â
The DA said the NHI violates the constitutional principles governing public administration. It results in the inefficient, uneconomic, and ineffective use of resources and undermines good human-resource management and career development practices.Â
On Friday, Steenhuisen said some of his party’s non-negotiables include the bail out of state-owned enterprises.
“South Africa has spent over R350 billion in bailouts for SOEs over the past 10 years, and this is one of the key reasons there is now a fiscal crisis. Money that should be available for teachers and nurses is now gone.
The Agriculture minister said his party is against the implementation of clauses 4 and 5 of the BELA Act, which needless opens the door to depriving children of mother-tongue education in single medium schools.
He added the implementation of the National Health insurance Scheme, which he said will bankrupt South Africa without improving healthcare or health outcomes.
DO YOU THINK THE DA AND ANC WILL CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER IN THE GNU DESPITE THEIR DIFFERENCES IN POLICIES?
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