Free online conference tackles the ethical crisis in South African education
Sizakele Mphatsoe, Head of Education at Kagiso Trust, says ethical leadership is essential to prevent the injustices of the past from evolving into new forms of inequality or corruption.
Image: Supplied
Anyone with a stake in South Africa’s education system is invited to attend a powerful online leadership conference for free this September, aimed at confronting the ethical crisis at the heart of the country’s schools and institutions.
As the country continues to face deep educational inequalities, the Kagiso Trust, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Education, is convening a two-day online Leadership Conference to explore what ethical leadership could look like in a transformed, inclusive, and contextually rooted education system.
Under the theme “Leading with integrity: Reimagining ethical educational leadership for transformative learning”, the conference takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, September 10 and 11, from 2pm to 4pm, and is free to attend via Zoom.
A call for ethical change
“Education is still grappling with the profound inequalities created by apartheid,” says Sizakele Mphatsoe, who leads the education programme at Kagiso Trust. “Ethical leadership is essential to navigate the complex process of transformation while ensuring that past injustices don’t perpetuate new forms of discrimination or corruption in resource allocation.”
Mphatsoe says that ethical gaps in educational leadership don’t just affect classrooms - they threaten social cohesion and democracy itself.
“The leadership we need must be deeply rooted in communal values, indigenous knowledge systems and philosophies such as ubuntu,” she adds.
The event marks part of Kagiso Trust’s 40th anniversary celebrations, a milestone in its long-standing commitment to equity and development.
African values at the centre
Crucially, the conference will focus on African-centred leadership, drawing on epistemologies and traditions of stewardship that challenge both colonial legacies and neoliberal governance models that shape many institutions today.
“The conference will foreground African epistemologies and decolonial approaches to leadership,” says Mphatsoe. “By drawing on African traditions of connectedness, stewardship and collective responsibility, we aim to inspire leadership that is not only ethical but authentically transformative.”
Four urgent focus areas
Facilitated by Prof Kat Yassim, professor of education leadership at UJ, the conference will unpack four critical dimensions of ethical leadership:
Equity, justice and inclusion
Tackling systemic inequalities, promoting inclusive practices, and ensuring fair access to quality education for all learners.
Sustainability and ethical stewardship
Advancing the SDGs, embedding environmental ethics, and shaping green-conscious educational systems.
Community engagement and indigenous knowledge
Building collaborative, participatory leadership rooted in local wisdom and co-creation with parents and stakeholders.
Digital ethics and leadership in the AI era
Addressing data privacy, digital inclusion, and ethical frameworks for integrating AI in education.
“The stakes are high”
“With systemic inequality, language and cultural complexities, and a crisis in quality and standards, ethical leadership has never been more critical,” says Mphatsoe.
“We encourage anyone who wants to see our schools and institutions led with integrity to join us for what promises to be an enlightening and inspiring conference.”
🗓️ Conference Details:
Theme: Leading with integrity: Reimagining ethical educational leadership for transformative learning
Dates: Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 September, 2025
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: FREE
RSVP Link: Register Here
About Kagiso Trust
Founded in 1985, Kagiso Trust is one of South Africa’s leading development agencies. With over R2 billion invested in socio-economic development and more than 1 800 programmes delivered across education, capacity-building and community development, the Trust is marking its 40th anniversary this year with a renewed focus on ethical and transformative leadership.
For more information, visit: www.kagiso.co.za