World body elects Cape Town principal as leader | Western Cape Government

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World body elects Cape Town principal as leader

29 September 2017

We are proud to announce that Alta van Heerden, Principal of Sunlands Primary in Kenwyn, Cape Town, has been elected President-Elect of the International Confederation of Principals (ICP).

The ICP elected Ms Van Heerden at their convention held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 22 to 25 September.

The ICP has about 50 000 members at schools in 20 countries on all continents. The confederation represents individual members, groups and national associations of school principals, and aspiring principals.

The organisation is dedicated to the development, support and promotion of school leadership globally. The ICP's slogan is "Think global, act local".

We congratulate Ms Heerden on her election, and note her contribution to education leadership locally and internationally with great pride.

Her election reflects the calibre of education leadership we have in the Western Cape and South Africa as a whole.

We look forward to learning from Ms Van Heerden and the ICP on best international practice, and to sharing our experiences. We wish her every success as she takes up her post as President-Elect of the organisation.

Ms Van Heerden has served education for 35 years, and leading professional associations for the past 10 years.

She has held the positions of General Secretary and President of the South African Principals' Association (SAPA), and President of SAPA in the Western Cape.

She has been a member of the ICP Council since 2010, and has represented Africa on the ICP Executive for the past four years.

Ms Van Heerden will assume her position as President-Elect in January 2018, and as President of the ICP in 2019.

Ms Van Heerden said one of her most memorable moments at the convention was the announcement of her election.

"It was an amazing, but humbling experience as South Africans and Africans responded to the announcement by breaking into spontaneous singing, ululating etc. I believe that it wasn't just about me, but about South Africa and Africa."

Media Enquiries: 

Jessica Shelver
Cell: 076 175 0663
Email: Jessica.Shelver@westerncape.gov.za