South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has attempted to prevent a major conflict within his fragile coalition government by postponing the enforcement of the most contentious aspect of a new education law. The disagreement over language policy had posed a risk to the stability of the 10-party coalition formed after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in the May elections.

Before officially signing the new measures into law at a public event, Mr. Ramaphosa announced that a three-month consultation period would now take place. However, John Steenhuisen, leader of the coalition’s second-largest party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has reaffirmed the party’s intention to challenge the law in court.