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 is run by part-time Management Board members and office administrator.

The South African Imperative:

Despite women constituting over 50% of the higher education workforce in South Africa, a survey in 2007 revealed that only 3 of the 23 Vice-Chancellors and 5 of the 23 Registrars were women; women comprised 21% of the Deputy Vice-Chancellors and 21% of the Executive Directors. Statistics show a similar pattern in other parts of Africa, including countries linked to the HERS-SA network: Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe..

In South Africa, the highest proportion of women are in the lowest academic positions and the lowest pay classes in support departments, this despite employment equity legislation and the articulated priorities of the Department of Education.

• To develop and offer accessible education, training and development programmes for women working in the higher education environment. 
• To empower women to take leadership positions in higher education institutions in South Africa, thereby providing much needed leadership role models for women.
• To challenge institutional culture and facilitate workplace change, thereby addressing gender inequity and enabling women to participate fully in the workforce.

Current and Planning Activities include:

• The annual HERS-SA ACADEMY which is a seven-day interactive professional development opportunity for women employed in higher education throughout Southern Africa.   It is aimed at those women in, or aspiring to, senior leadership positions and typically attracts about 80 women.
• The  TOPAS Workshops are 'demand driven' and attract women currently employed at all levels in higher education institutions.   HERS-SA provides experienced facilitators drawn from the higher education sector, who facilitate workshops to groups of 10-12 women upon request.
• Maintaining a flow of information between women in higher education (website and listserve) and facilitating structured mentoring.
• Circulating information about development opportunities and jobs in higher education.
• Facilitating networking between women in higher education institutions.
• Research into and advocacy for gender equity in higher education in Africa.
• Managing The Carnegie Corporation of New York project to bring women from Southern African Higher Education Institutions to the HERS-SA ACADEMY in South Africa.