The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has condemned what it termed the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) arrogant, racist attitude and mentality of telling President Cyril Ramaphosa how to exercise his constitutional duty to appointing his Cabinet, criticising the appointment of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.

After nearly two weeks of rigorous negotiations, Ramaphosa announced the composition of the seventh administration’s National Executive. This after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its outright majority in the 2024 national provincial elections.

Sadtu noted that in announcing his Cabinet, Ramaphosa mentioned experience and skills to deliver as some of the attributes of this Cabinet.

“…surely, this is not true for the Minister of Basic Education?” it said.

The union highlighted that it acknowledged that the President had a prerogative in appointing Ministers and Deputy Ministers to serve the country, saying what Sadtu knew from the leaked letters of the DA though, was that the DA demanded certain ministerial posts including basic education.

“We do not accept this arrogance and racist attitude and mentality of the DA to tell the President how to exercise his constitutional duty to appoint. We cannot condone this behaviour because it will set a very dangerous precedent that will destroy our democracy and social cohesion agenda of our county,” Sadtu said.

Last week in a detailed letter addressed to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, DA federal chairperson Helen Zille said it was “only fair and reasonable” for the DA to be represented across all Cabinet clusters.

The union noted that while it had no powers to dictate to Ramaphosa who to appoint, Gwarube was an affront to Sadtu.

It said the DA had  in its election manifesto declared war against the union lamenting that Sadtu was too strong and must be dealt with.

“They said they believe that the failures of the education system are because the ANC has allowed our education system to be captured by the vested interests of Sadtu. This deficit narrative is engrained and enmeshed in their propaganda and ideology. The union does not appoint any personnel to any institution but just like all other unions, it observes the process to ensure a fair process in the best interest of our education and our communities,” it said.

Sadtu explained that the DA refused to acknowledge the role of “colonial and apartheid” education systems, which it said had entrenched inequalities for centuries and decades, rather putting 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,” it said.

Meanwhile, the union also noted Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s appointment, urging her to immediately focus on rooting out corruption in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and in technical vocational education and training colleges.