Ramaphosa stands firm on controversial Acts

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that two pieces of legislation – the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act and the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act – would be implemented irrespective of those who did not agree with it. A News24 report says the two Acts have raised the ire of opposition parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), with some even threatening to opt out of the governance agreement over the legislation. But on Friday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa made himself crystal clear: the Acts will be implemented. He said SA should urgently address access to education as well as enhance the quality of education and strengthen skills development. ‘Laws such as the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act are better, more are aimed at ensuring that we improve our education system. That law, the Bela Act, is going to be implemented whether people like it or not,’ Ramaphosa said. Speaking about NHI, Ramaphosa said: ‘We will also want to ensure that we implement the NHI Act and provide universal access to quality healthcare that is free at the point of service, meaning that the NHI will be implemented. We will proceed with that.’

City Press' sister publication, Rapport, has learnt from ANC government sources that the proposal is for all South Africans working in the formal sector to be obliged to obtain medical coverage, but the state will compete with medical schemes to provide cheaper medical insurance through the NHI. This current proposal is based on a previous proposal from the Hospital Association of SA. The Sunday Tribune reports that trade union Solidarity on Friday accused the government of exploiting taxpayer funds to market an unattainable vision of universal healthcare. The union pointed to billboards nationwide, which they claimed mocked the financial struggles of South Africans while extolling the virtues of a scheme that many believe is doomed to fail. 

Full Sunday Tribune report

Full City Press report

Full News24 report