ACPA Salutes Education Leaders in South Africa

As South Africa celebrates 20 years of democratic rule this week, we recognize the important role that higher education has played throughout the country’s democratic transition.

Higher education has been one of the driving forces behind South Africa’s notable economic progress during the last two decades. Under the repressive apartheid regime, which lasted for much of the 20th century, the country had unequally divided higher education institutions, with black South Africans largely relegated to schools that were vastly inferior in resources and quality. Recognizing the need to build a more equitable system, the government has initiated reforms that aim to broaden access and improve quality in higher education for all South Africans.

Although many challenges remain, the country has made notable improvements since its voters elected Nelson Mandela to the presidency in 1994. As Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This continues to be true for students and educators in South Africa and throughout the world.

We salute the many educators throughout the country and our friends and colleagues in the National Association of Student Development Practitioners (NASDEV) and the South African Association for Senior Student Affairs Professionals (SAASSAP) who continuously work to make tertiary education attainable and part of the ongoing democratic fabric in South Africa.