Non-governmental organisation AfriForum announced more than 100 000 signatures within the last 24 hours on its petition against the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, as it aims to strengthen its negotiating position.

The organisation’s petition passed the 150 000-mark early Wednesday morning and it expects to soon exceed over 200 000 signatories.

AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs Alana Bailey said traffic to its website was so heavy on Tuesday evening that AfriForum had to make additional capacity available for its internet servers to cope with the “influx of supporters”.

Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Bill despite a significant degree of public rejection, and concern over its constitutionality.

However, after consultation with AfriForum and Solidarity, Ramaphosa placed on hold clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill for three months to find solutions to the concerns around them. Should no solutions be found, the Bill would be implemented fully, he said.

“The President’s calls to AfriForum and Solidarity, as well as the opportunity for further discussion of the two articles, serve as proof that public pressure can achieve success,” she added.

Bailey claimed that the public is “seriously opposed” to the Act’s apparent attack on Afrikaans schools and children, and, therefore, the Afrikaans community itself.

AfriForum urged more opposition of the BELA Act by signing the petition at www.stopbela.co.za.