School leadership “A Compelling Priority”

Characteristics of Leaders

They Think Long Term.
They Inspire Others.
They Are Great Listeners and Communicators.
They are Highly Organised.

Empower

Empowerment without enablement and enhancement is a futile exercise which is designed to increase the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people.

Power and influence

Power can be defined as the following: “The authority to change the behaviour of others and make them do things that they might not do otherwise.”

Constructive influence

Influence is described in the dictionary as “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself”.

Involvement

People are more inclined to trust others and connect emotionally when they feel valued. By involving people in finding solutions or providing ideas, leaders send a powerful message that they value the input of their people.

Credibility

True leaders come from a place of understanding and believing in the vision they are driving. Without arrogance, they provide the assurance that they have the knowledge, strength, and ability to guide people in the right direction.

Message from the President’s Desk

Dear Colleagues
As the year draws to a close we need to reflect on the year gone, the achievements and strides that we have made at our schools and as an organisation. This is the different year indeed, the year of new normal. I really pour my heart out and pass my condolences to our members and colleagues who passed on due to COVID-19, may their souls rest in eternal peace.

The South African Principal’s Association (SAPA) Limpopo operates in all four regions of our Province, namely: Vhembe, Mopani, Waterberg, Capricorn and Sekhukhune. Principals and deputy principals that have signed up as members have seen the benefit of belonging to SAPA. Our relationship with stakeholders has also grown to the  extent that SAPA receives invitations to attend all meetings, workshops, seminars, launches and celebrations within the education spectrum. The MEC for Education Mrs. Polly Boshielo and Acting Superintendent General Ms Khathutshelo Onica Dedereng have been extremely supportive of SAPA events through the deployment of departmental officials.

We are also contributing immensely in our education sector. We support under performing principals and also their schools. And this is bearing good fruits. In line with our Vision, we affirm excellent education leadership and management, enhances professional development and promotes meaningful interaction. With regard to membership, we still have members who are affiliating in their Regions’ and Branches’ accounts. It must be noted that such members are not in good standing. We expect all members to affiliate directly to the provincial account for audit purpose. Those Regions and Branches that are still owing the Province must pay their dues as soon as possible for their members to be in good standing. We believe that every SAPA member is a diplomat of the organisation and we thus urge all SAPA members to promote SAPA and its activities amongst colleagues and schools and all the events that you attend, “Brighten the Corner where You are”.

The following are some of the benefits of being a SAPA member:
• Enhances your skills and professional development so that you will feel more confident about the task of leading your school.
• Provide mentorship and support to member schools (workshops/training etc)
• Exposing members to leadership breakfasts and conferences with speakers from various specialisations in the education world both academically and through practice.
• Creating a network platform for all member principals and deputy principals
• Receive firsthand information and support from DBE through our seconded member (National Co-ordinator).
• Tabling issues and challenges facing principals directly with the educational leadership provincially and nationally.
• Provides opportunities to access current world developments in educational leadership through membership of the international Confederation of Principals (ICP) and the African Convention of Principals (ACP).
• SAPA is invited to all MEC events in the province and to the legislature including the education budget speech.
• Collaboration with stakeholders who have an influence in education circles and government.

It is my viewpoint that the only people who can transform our schools into institutions of quality learning and teaching are the principals at our schools. Principals are able to inspire learners to achieve unexpected or remarkable results. “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” Nelson Mandela. In conclusion, I would like to extend my gratitude to all Provincial Executive Committee members for their determination and teamwork.

“ Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ’Til your good is better and your better is best.” St. Jerome

TOGETHER WE LEAD !
(BE SAFE , WEAR MASK, SANITISE YOURSELF AND RESPECT SOCIAL DISTANCE)
I THANK YOU
Mashudu Richard Ramulumo
SAPA Limpopo President

Our Partners