HERS-SA is a managed network to improve the status of women in higher education in South Africa.
It has grown from HERS Mid-America, which has been running professional development activities for women in higher education in the United States since 1975.

In 1999 the Andrew W Mellon Foundation, perceiving the need to improve the status of professional women in higher education in South Africa, provided funding for HERS Mid-America to work with women in South Africa. As part of this 4-year programme over 68 Western Cape women have participated in HERS programmes in the USA and over 450 women from South Africa and other African countries have attended HERS-SA professional development programmes in South Africa.

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