The African Confederation of Principals (ACP) Council Meeting was successfully hosted in Pretoria, South Africa from 26–30 April 2026 by the South African Principals Association (SAPA), in partnership with the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE). The gathering brought together school leadership representatives from across the continent, including delegates from South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, and Kenya. The meeting focused on strengthening educational leadership, organisational growth, governance, professional collaboration, and the future direction of principals’ associations across Africa.
Over the five-day programme, delegates participated in a combination of council meetings, strategic discussions, professional engagement sessions, school visits, and cultural experiences linked to South Africa’s Freedom Day commemorations. Visits to important heritage sites such as the Union Buildings, Mandela House, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Constitution Hill, and Freedom Park provided meaningful opportunities to reflect on leadership, democracy, resilience, and social transformation within education. Formal council proceedings took place at the Department of Basic Education in Pretoria. Opening remarks were delivered by SAPA President Dr Mashudu Ramulumo, ACP President Mrs Deborah Basekanakyo, and representatives from the Department of Basic Education. Discussions throughout the week focused on governance, constitutional review processes, financial sustainability, strategic planning, conference management, and reports from member countries.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was a renewed commitment to strengthening ACP’s sustainability and expanding representation across the African continent. Member countries were encouraged to recruit additional African nations into the organisation, while committees were tasked with refining both the ACP Constitution and Finance Policy to better align with the organisation’s long-term strategic vision.
The Council also adopted updated hosting guidelines for future ACP meetings and conferences, with an emphasis on improved financial management, clearer operational planning, and stronger collaboration between host countries and ACP leadership structures.
As part of the programme, delegates visited selected primary and secondary schools in Pretoria, creating valuable opportunities for professional exchange around school leadership practices, learner support systems, school culture, and innovation in education.
The meeting further reinforced the growing relationship between ACP and the International Confederation of Principals (ICP). During the Council sessions, ACP members were invited to participate in the upcoming ICP Council Meeting and Convention taking place in Auckland, New Zealand in September 2026. Discussions highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between African school leaders and the broader global educational leadership community.
Reflecting on the event, delegates noted the growing strength, unity, and institutional maturity of ACP as a continental platform for educational leadership. The Pretoria meeting highlighted the importance of strategic collaboration, professional learning, and shared leadership in shaping the future of education across Africa.
SAPA is proud to have hosted this important continental engagement and remains committed to strengthening leadership development, collaboration, and educational excellence both within South Africa and across the African continent.