The International Confederation of Principals (ICP) was proud to see educational leaders from across Africa gather in Pretoria, South Africa last month for the African Confederation of Principals (ACP) Council Meeting.
Hosted by the South African Principals Association (SAPA), in partnership with the South African Department of Basic Education, the meeting brought together delegates from South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, and Kenya for a week of strategic dialogue, professional exchange, and continental collaboration.
For ICP, gatherings such as these represent the true strength of international educational leadership. They highlight the power of principals’ associations working together across borders, learning from one another, and collectively shaping stronger futures for schools, educators, and learners.
As an important regional member association within the ICP network, ACP continues to play a significant role in strengthening leadership conversations and collaboration across the African continent. The Pretoria meeting demonstrated growing momentum, institutional maturity, and a shared commitment to advancing educational leadership through partnership and professional engagement.
Throughout the week, delegates engaged in formal council discussions focused on governance, constitutional review processes, financial sustainability, strategic planning, and the future growth of ACP. The Council also adopted updated hosting guidelines for future meetings and conferences, while reaffirming the importance of expanding representation and strengthening collaboration among African principals’ associations. Beyond the formal sessions, delegates participated in cultural and heritage visits linked to South Africa’s Freedom Day commemorations, including visits to the Union Buildings, Mandela House, Constitution Hill, Freedom Park, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial. These experiences created important opportunities for reflection on leadership, democracy, resilience, and social transformation through education.
School visits to selected primary and secondary schools in Pretoria further encouraged professional exchange around learner support, school culture, leadership practices, and innovation in education. These opportunities to engage directly with schools and fellow leaders remain a central part of the collaborative spirit that defines both ACP and ICP. ICP was particularly encouraged by the strong emphasis placed on continental and global collaboration throughout the meeting. Discussions reinforced the importance of ensuring African school leaders remain actively connected to the broader international leadership community through professional learning, networking, and shared dialogue.
During the Council Meeting, ICP Africa Representative Mr Welcome Mhlanga encouraged member associations to participate in the upcoming ICP Council Meeting and Convention, taking place in Auckland, New Zealand in September 2026. The invitation was warmly received and reflected the growing value of stronger engagement between African educational leaders and the wider ICP global network. ICP extends its appreciation to SAPA for successfully hosting the meeting and to ACP for its ongoing leadership in strengthening educational leadership across Africa. The Pretoria Council Meeting served as a powerful reminder that meaningful progress in education is accelerated when leaders come together with shared purpose, mutual respect, and a commitment to learning from one another across countries, cultures, and contexts.
Author: Welcome Mhlanga ICP Executive – Africa Representative)
