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May 21, 2024

Fresh leadership at the helm! SAPHE welcomes new chairperson

The South African Private Higher Education (SAPHE) landscape is undergoing a shift in leadership! After a successful tenure as Chairperson, Dr Jannie Zaaiman is passing the baton to Dr Carin Stoltz-Urban. While Dr Zaaiman steps down as Chair due to other commitments, SAPHE is fortunate to retain his invaluable expertise as he continues to serve as a Board member.


Dr Stoltz-Urban, who has served on the SAPHE Board heading the capacity-building portfolio, is a seasoned leader with a passion for higher education and a clear vision for the future. As SAPHE navigates the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, Dr Stoltz-Urban brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic approach to the role.


Lasting contributions

Dr Zaaiman, who served as Chairperson since January 2023, continued to lead SAPHE on its trajectory of growth. As a young association, SAPHE has managed to establish itself as the home for dynamic and progressive private higher education institutions (PHEIs) set to make a meaningful contribution to the higher education space. Moreover, SAPHE has fostered good relations with the regulatory bodies and become a respected stakeholder in higher education.


During Dr Zaaiman’s tenure, SAPHE strengthened its relationship with regulatory bodies and Universities South Africa (USAf). The first SAPHE Conference was hosted with acclaim, attracting academics, researchers, and higher education stakeholders from across the country. The conference showcased PHEIs' research highlights. Member engagement and collaboration, as well as capacity-building initiatives, were key priorities. Additionally, SAPHE refreshed its image by revising its logo and revamping its website and communication platforms. Dr Zaaiman's leadership resulted in a string of successes for SAPHE.


Taking over the reins, Dr Stoltz-Urban brings palpable enthusiasm and an inspiring clear vision. The higher education space is dynamic, with opportunities and unique challenges. Navigating this landscape will require both insight and grit, qualities that Dr Stoltz-Urban possesses in abundance.


SAPHE’s new Chairperson shares some of her thoughts and insights with us.


Vision statement from the Chairperson of SAPHE


As the newly elected SAPHE Chairperson, I am both humbled and honoured to serve in this pivotal role. My vision for SAPHE closely aligns with our mission to advance the interests of private higher education institutions and contribute meaningfully to the broader landscape of higher education in South Africa.


Vision and mission alignment


SAPHE is dedicated to promoting quality, innovation, and integrity in private higher education. Our mission emphasises the need for a collaborative and inclusive approach to education that serves the diverse needs of our country. In 2024, I plan to drive initiatives that embody these principles, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of educational excellence and accessibility.


Building supportive partnerships


Building on the good work of my predecessors, one of my key priorities is to further strengthen our relationship with regulators such as the Council on Higher Education (CHE), the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). By fostering supportive partnerships with these bodies, we can ensure that private higher education institutions are not only compliant with regulations but also actively contributing to the development of a cohesive, integrated higher education system in South Africa. My goal is to facilitate open dialogues and collaborative efforts that bridge the gap between the public and private education sectors, creating a unified framework that benefits all students.


Advocacy and raising awareness


Advocacy is a cornerstone of my strategy as Chairperson. Raising awareness about the value and contributions of private higher education institutions is crucial. I aim to enhance our advocacy efforts by engaging with policymakers, educators, and the public to highlight the pivotal role our members play in the national education landscape. Through targeted campaigns and strategic partnerships, we will work to dispel misconceptions and emphasise the quality and diversity of educational opportunities provided by private institutions.


Creating a value proposition for members


Creating a compelling value proposition for SAPHE members is another key focus area. Our members should feel supported, valued, and empowered to achieve their institutional goals. I plan to introduce new member services, professional development opportunities, and platforms for sharing best practices. By fostering a strong community of practice, we can collectively elevate the standards and outcomes of private higher education in South Africa.


Last word



I am deeply humbled to assume the role of Chairperson and am committed to making a significant impact in the sector. Together, we will work towards a diverse, integrated, and high-quality higher education system that serves the needs of our country. I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to advance our shared mission and vision for a brighter future in higher education.

Celebrating Excellence: SAPHE Awards 2024

By Rian Nell • November 26, 2024
The inaugural SAPHE Excellence Awards 2024 celebrated a significant milestone in recognising academic excellence within the private higher education sector. As an exciting new initiative by SAPHE, these awards recognise excellence across the three core business areas: Teaching and Learning, Research and Innovation, and Community Engagement. Each category honours impactful contributions that advance education, foster collaboration, and benefit society. Dr Celia Booyse, one of the judges, noted that a rigorous evaluation process was followed. The panel developed criteria as bases for the deliberations on each submission, the reasoning for evaluation and as qualitative and quantitative evidence. Key questions guiding the evaluation included assessing whether contributions represented new developments, their relevance to education and/or society at large, the level of collaboration and cooperation involved, and the rigour of research practices. The criteria helped assess whether a contribution was outstanding, remarkable, or average. An outstanding contribution was characterised as significant, noteworthy, and impactful within its domain, representing an excellent achievement for the broader educational sector. A remarkable contribution was recognised for its originality and innovative practices that exceeded conventional norms, standing out as well above average and surpassing minimum standards Entries from Boston City Campus, The Da Vinci Institute and Tsiba secured the winning trophies in the categories of Teaching and Learning, Research and Innovation, and Community Engagement respectively.  The SAPHE Excellence Awards 2024 underscored the invaluable contributions of private higher education institutions in advancing innovation, education, and societal impact. These remarkable achievements provide inspiration and a benchmark for future endeavours. SAPHE Award winners: Teaching and Learning : Boston City Campus, with academics Dr Rob Stegmann, Ms Colette Heunes, Prof. Cobus Oosthuizen, and Dr Janet Viljoen taking the trophy for their multi-faceted entry. Research : Dr Tadi Rampai (Posthumous) from The Da Vinci Institute. Community Engagement : Mr John Durr and Mr Earl-Djehuti Erasmus from Tsiba. Runners-up: Teaching and Learning : 1st runner-up, Ms Annetjie Pretorius (The Independent Institute of Education); 2nd runner-up, Ms Riana Prins and Dr Cecelia Rosa (IMM Graduate School). Research: 1 st runner-up, Ms Jaclyn van Rensburg (Red & Yellow Creative School of Business); 2 nd runner-up, Dr Rob Stegmann (Boston City Campus). Community Engagement : 1st Runner-Up, Ms. Sarina Till (The Independent Institute of Education); 2nd runner-up, Dr Daud Taranikhe (The Da Vinci Institute).

Second SAPHE Conference: A Resounding Success!

November 19, 2024
The 2nd Annual SAPHE Conference, held on 5–6 November at the IMM Graduate School, exceeded expectations, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees. The event was abuzz with activity, high-level discussions, and dynamic conversations centred on higher education (HE), with a particular focus on private higher education Under the theme, Leading innovation in Higher Education (HE), the Conference featured prominent keynote speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, interactive workshops and insightful research presentations.

Fostering collaboration: Deputy Minister Gondwe meets with SAPHE

October 3, 2024
On Monday, 30 September, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, met with SAPHE to familiarise herself with the association’s achievements and challenges, and to foster stronger relations between the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and SAPHE. Dr Gondwe has been tasked with overseeing private higher education (PHE) institutions as part of her portfolio. According to SAPHE Chair, Dr Carin Stoltz-Urban, the introductory meeting was conducted in a collegial and positive spirit. "It was clear that the Deputy Minister is well-informed about the department's priorities and eager to cooperate with stakeholders in the private higher education sector, such as SAPHE," noted Dr Stoltz-Urban. Compliance, a significant focus given the recent deregistration of some PHEIs, was one of the key topics addressed. Dr Gondwe emphasised the critical role SAPHE can play in promoting compliance and good governance within the sector. She encouraged SAPHE to establish a resource centre to provide institutions with access to documents, advice and guidance on compliance matters, to compile best-practice guidelines, and offer capacity-building workshops, peer learning opportunities, and networking events for PHEIs. In addition, Dr Gondwe urged SAPHE members to conduct employability studies, specifically on job placement, highlighting the importance of measuring the impact of private higher education on job creation and inclusive socio-economic growth. She invited SAPHE members to an Employment and Investment Summit the department will be hosting in November which will involve key industry stakeholders. Representing SAPHE at the meeting were Dr Carin Stoltz-Urban, SAPHE CEO Nancy-Anne Anderson, and Shirley Ferndale from the IIE, who is also actively involved in the broader higher education sector through the Registrars' Forum, among other initiatives. The SAPHE team took the opportunity to present the association’s role and mandate, while also discussing issues such as disparities in the higher education sector and the policy on institutional types. The constructive meeting set a positive tone for future engagement. "As SAPHE, we are encouraged by the Deputy Minister’s willingness to support the private higher education sector, and we are dedicated to working with the DHET to advance quality higher education overall," said Dr Stoltz-Urban.
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