ACSI South African Regional Report 2024
ACSI South African Regional Report 2024
ACSI South Africa
2024 saw the remarkable spread of ACSI’s influence across the Southern Africa region, and we give thanks to the Lord for open doors and for the relationships which were established throughout the year. It is incredible to think that as recently as 18 months ago we only had contact with schools in Zimbabwe and Eswatini. Now, in November 2024, we have connections in Lesotho, Mozambique, Botswana, Mauritius, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar and Namibia.
Much of this is due to the passion for Africa which burns strongly in the heart of ACSI Southern Africa Regional Coordinator, Cobus Sipsma. Through his determination, and by the grace of God who opened many doors, meetings and conferences were held, and committees established to guide the development of Christian education in those countries mentioned above. Just as Jesus did, building relationships is at the core of all ACSI’s activities and as such it was heartening to see Zambian leaders travelling down to South Africa for the North West (Brits) Teachers Conference, where they were joined by a group from Brookside Academy in Botswana – who were incidentally also at the ACSI Zimbabwe Educators Conference.
The intention was for Cobus to visit each country twice during the year, and during these visits he met with a variety of school and church leaders. In addition, he helped to organise several Teachers Conferences and presented workshops at a number of schools. The greatest need which Cobus identified was to work with Christian school leaders, in order to help them to understand what authentic Christian education looks like and to encourage them in their calling; as such, he spent plenty of time with leaders in all the counties he visited.
To this end, it is cause for celebration that ACSI Zimbabwe will introduce their own Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI) course next year. In addition, Cobus consulted with Muller van Loggerenberg of the Doxa Deo church to explore the possibility of using their well-established leaders training course. The ACSI Paths to School Improvement (PSI) will be another critical aspect of leadership development in the coming years, as we help countries in the Southern African region to raise strong Christian leaders, who are able to implement effective programmes in their schools.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond it is with a sense of anticipation to see what the Lord will do in the Southern African region. Planning has already begun for a Southern African Roundtable conference, probably in September next year, at which we hope to see Christian school leaders and church leaders gather. The intention will be to look at ways in which the goals of the ACSI Africa Roundtable Declaration of 2023 can be implemented – of strengthening the bonds between education, the church and families.
The ACSI Southern African region forms part of the ACSI African divisional office and as such it was good to meet with ACSI Africa Director, Dr Sosthene Maletoungou, during his time in South Africa in November. There are exciting plans to train and accredit a million African teachers in the coming years and this process will start with a pilot project at Gateway Teachers Training Centre in Harare in 2025, along with four other institutions across the continent. These courses will have their roots in the ACSI Global Core Standards, and will focus on enhancing existing teacher training courses through biblical integration and a biblical worldview.
It is so evident how the Holy Spirit is moving across our continent, and we can’t wait to see what God has prepared for next year. For now all we can do is thank the Lord for the strong foundations he has laid over the past year, and for the incredible men and women who serve him in his schools. We give thanks too for the seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm which Cobus has poured into all his trips this year, all to God’s glory. We trust that God will water the seeds and that a mighty harvest will arise in the years to come.
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