The announcement comes amid the ongoing consultation process on two clauses of the legislation.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the BELA Bill into law, however, he decided to delay the implementation of the two provisions dealing with admission and language, pending the outcome of the consultation process over three months.

Gwarube says it is her constitutional responsibility to implement and promulgate the necessary regulations for the commencement of the enforcement of the act.

“The Bela Act as it stands, is essentially ready for implementation with the exception of clauses four and five. So, as the department we have already started the process of implementing the Bela Act because it of course has been signed into law. In fact, we have started to engage provinces to essentially roll out work workshops that the department has started to roll out so that the provinces are ready and are on time to be able to implement provisions of the Bela Act, of course with the exception of clauses four and five.”

--SABC--