Celebrating ACSI South Africa’s 25th Anniversary

The ACSI South Africa Office is celebrating its 25-year anniversary. Neil Malherbe, ACSI National Director for South Africa, shared how he's seen the office change over these fruitful years.

Christian education in its present form began to take shape in South Africa in the early 1980s, with many small, church-based schools using the ACE curriculum brought from the United States. As these schools matured, some moved beyond ACE but still desired fellowship, shared activities, and collective support. Because most schools were small, sports became a primary point of connection, leading to the formation of the Association of Christian Schools (ACS). In those early years, strong camaraderie marked the pioneers who were shaping the direction of Christian education in the country.

By 1999, however, a shift occurred. Some leaders desired a separate sports body, allowing a renewed focus on vision, curriculum, and school development. ACS “sowed” its sports division into what became the South Africa Christian School Sport Association (SACSSA), which continues today. This pivotal moment prompted leaders to revisit their original purpose. In a prayer gathering of six leaders at Calvary Christian School, they sensed a clear call to reread the original vision: sport had only been one small part of a broader mandate to expand Christian education across South Africa and into Africa. The decision was made to refocus and move forward with renewed clarity.

At the same time, preparations were underway for the All Africa Teachers’ Conference in Pretoria. Through relationships with international ACSI member schools, Dr. Phil Renicks of ACSI International was invited to participate. During that season, leaders sensed God’s direction to merge ACS with ACSI and establish ACSI South Africa. In February 2001, the office opened in the home of Mrs. Jill Battle, and Alan Sutherland was appointed Director, with Dr. Samson Makhado as Associate Director. Despite limited finances, the association moved forward in faith, supported by volunteers and partners across the country and abroad.

When Alan Sutherland resigned in 2003, Dr. Samson Makhado became Director. Under his leadership, the vision expanded beyond South Africa. A defining prayer moment during a visit to Uganda led to the planning of the 2007 ACSI Africa Roundtable in Johannesburg. Representatives from 35 nations, 29 from African countries, gathered, and a declaration was signed to extend ACSI’s mission across the continent. Dr. Makhado became the first ACSI Africa Director, supported by international partners such as ACSI Western Canada and Pacific Academy. ACSI soon established a presence in countries including Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, the DRC, Cameroon, and Chad.

Subsequent Africa Roundtables in 2012 and 2018 reinforced collaboration, prayer, and strategic planning, with growing emphasis on teacher training and regional development. Five African regions were identified and supported through national and regional offices. During this period, ACSI Southern Africa played a critical hosting and support role for ACSI Africa’s work.

Leadership transitions marked the following years. After the tragic passing of Anna-Marie Russell in 2016, Sean Moore became Director in 2017. Under his six-year tenure, ACSI Southern Africa tripled its number of affiliated schools, expanded staffing, and broadened services. However, rapid growth also created strain on relational connections. In 2023, Sean Moore resigned to serve internationally, and Neil Malherbe was appointed Director. Structural adjustments followed, including the addition of assistant directors and a regional coordinator to support expansion.

In 2025, ACSI moved into its own dedicated facility, ACSI House, symbolizing stability and growth. In 2026, the office transitioned from a regional office back to a national office while continuing financial and relational support for ACSI Africa’s broader mission.

Over 25 years, ACSI South Africa has grown from a small fellowship of pioneering schools into a recognized national and continental voice for Christian education. It advocates for Christian schools, provides policies, conferences, workshops, and resources, and partners globally within the ACSI family. Above all, the story reflects God’s faithfulness, provision, and guidance, along with a renewed commitment to advance Christ-centered education across South Africa and Africa for years to come.