Staff Reporter.
The University of Pretoria (UP) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Apolitical Academy Southern Africa (AASA) to collaborate in training ethical leaders in South Africa and the southern African region.
The agreement, which is valid for three years, will see the two parties work together in several areas aimed at training and developing Africa’s future government and political leaders.
Associate Professor Victoria Graham, Head of the Department of Political Sciences at UP, said the partnership between the two institutions will be mutually beneficial.
“This relationship is so important because both UP and the Apolitical Academy are committed to the promotion of active citizenship and the creation of ethical, strong, transformational leadership,” Graham said.
“There is an enduring need to contribute to the development of open, robust and good quality democratic societies in Africa and globally; we hope that we can contribute to this goal through our collaboration.”
AASA was established in 2018 as an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organisation which focuses on making the public service work for people throughout the region.
Lindiwe Mazibuko, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of AASA, said the relationship between the two entities is part of making a sustainable difference in the South Africa’s political landscape.
“Our continent needs more young emerging leaders to be at the forefront of policy discussions and decision-making. Young people have a critical role to play in creating structural economic and social change across the continent in order to improve the lives of its most vulnerable people,” Mazibuko said.
“Together, we aim to empower a new generation of ethical, political and governmental leaders to help close the gap between public institutions and the people they serve,”Mazibuko added.