HERS-SA is a self-sustaining non-profit organisation, dedicated to the advancement of women in the Higher Education sector. For the past seven years this small organisation has advocated for, and contributed to, the career development of women employed in academia via carefully crafted interventions including hosting the first national conference on Women in Leadership in Higher Education and the annual HERS-SA ACADEMY that attracts women from all over sub-Saharan Africa. Click here for a review of HERS-SA achievements from 2002 to date.

HERS-SA has grown from HERS Mid-America, which has been running professional development activities for women in higher education in the United States since 1975. Ongoing contact and co-operation has grown in both directions with women going to the USA and vice versa. Inspired by the Amercian HERS programme and with the initial support of the Andrew W Mellon Foundation, HERS-SA began offering professional development programmes for academic and administrative women in South Africa in 2000. Over 900 women from South Africa and other countries across Africa have participated in HERS-SA programmes.

From 2003 to date The Carnegie Corporation of New York has provided funding for delegates from Southern African Higher Education Institutions to attend the annual HERS-SA ACADEMY in South Africa.

HERS-SA is honoured to have the support of Ms Naledi Pandor, the previous South African Government Minister of Education. Ms Pandor is currently Minister of Science & Technology.