Speaker, the DA welcomes the support from Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga for the school rationalisation process in the Western Cape. Minister Motshekga reportedly stated that the Western Cape Education MEC, Donald Grant, had applied his mind and is satisfied that the decision is in the best interests of learners and that she would not have any discomfort in supporting him.
The ANC alliance members in the Western Cape, including Sadtu, have responded to the school rationalisation programme with political opportunism and a total disregard for the best interests of learners. They are silent on the hundreds of school closures in other ANC provinces, while the DA continues to build 37 new schools in the Western Cape.
Instead of making mindless threats, the ANC in the Western Cape would do well to educate themselves and discuss the matter with their own Minister. The reality is that they won't, because this grandstanding is nothing but an act of desperation in the ANC's attempt to undermine the democratically elected DA Western Cape government. Thank you. [Applause.]