ALUSA's story is a deeply Namibian one that started in 2012 on the initiative of Dr Gerhard and Mrs Claudette Buys, who as church ministers and educators for more than 40 years worked in various communities around the country, from Orumana in the Kunene region, to Gobabis in the Omaheke region, Keetmanshoop and Bethanie in the ǁKaras Region and in Windhoek, the capital. Dr Buys, affectionaly known by many Namibians as 'Nehonga', served in several senior roles in theological higher education and research in Namibia, most notably from 1987-2012 as founding principal of the Namibian Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS) based in Windhoek, as well as publishing academic works on the history and role of the Christian churches in the country. These include an authorative book* on Namibian church history co-authored with former Bishop, Dr Shekutaamba Nambala, which made an important contribution to record the role of different churches in the struggle for freedom and independence. As Nehonga passed the leadership of NETS to Dr Martin Khoaseb and retired as principal in 2012, he declared his intention to establish an institution that will strengthen the movement in the country and continent to define and deploy its unique voice as leader in local and global matters. Mrs Buys, affectionaly known by many Namibians as 'Ndapandula', and who taught several generations of young Namibians in schools across the country, joined Nehonga in this work. Not only did she serve the country as a teacher, but also broader, such as to play a leading role in the interdenominational woman's movement of churches in the coutry. She most notably served as co-chairperson of the first Namibian delegation to the African Womans Prayer Day in 1990, the year of Namibian independence, but later also as principal of Ponhofi Secondary School in Helao Nafidi, a town in the Ohangwena region.

Nehonga and Ndapandula Buys with Dr Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, 2005

It was Nehonga who advised collegues that the initiative must be known, and therefore also its legal entities incorporated, as the 'African Leadership University of Southern Africa' - in this name the community expressed its intent to become a university that serves Namibia, its neighbouring nations and then further afield.

First logo, 2014

Developing and preparing the degree programmes and institution for accreditation started in all earnest and Nehonga brought together senior colleagues from higher education institutions locally and abroad to design unique curriculum and advice on the conceptual foundations of ALUSA's qualifications. In 2014 the first steps towards full accreditation of ALUSA and its programmes with the higher education regulatory authorities were taken. As part of the quality review process ALUSA recruited an initial cohort of students at levels 8, 9 and 10 of the NQF**. In view of the registration and accreditation processes this enabled the development team to evaluate and review the curriculum content, teaching and learning methods, and articulation between and within programmes in real time, and to do so with senior colleagues based in different sectors. It was also critical to collaborate with respected colleagues in higher education who would advice on and review the work, as it was to gain the most senior public thought leaders to support and join ALUSA.

It was therefore a significant milestone when internationally renowned and respected thought leader, political analyst and author, Professor Joseph Diescho, in 2016 agreed to be appointed as President and Chancellor.

Dr Buys and students with Professor Diescho.

As part of peer review initiatives, partnerships with local institutions and senior scholars in the scholarly field of leadership and Africa studies in Namibia and South Africa followed, which provided invaluable inputs to several research seminars hosted in 2017 and 2018 for students and guests from other institutions at the Namibian Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM). The first cohort completed their studies and in 2019 the Senate called for an inaugural ceremony to see the first but small number of doctoral, masters and honours candidates graduate - a very proud moment for staff, students and the wider ALUSA community. This milestone confirmed that the academic oversight structure of the institution, its operational capacity and overall alignment with quality standards were well in hand, ready to serve students. The institution as a whole was now ready to complete its registration and accreditation as an officially recognised private higher education institution of Namibia. COVID however hit in 2020 which caused ALUSA to enter a very difficult period. During 2020-2021 the epidemic severely affected senior officials, including Nehonga, who was infected and only by the grace of God survived the most serious of threats. His was however not the only case and the traumatic impact of the epidemic were seen in the lives of many in the ALUSA community, from lecturers to students and administrators. This period, as was the case for other comparible organisations, presented the institution with serious challenges to forge ahead with the official registration and accreditation process, even while operational systems of teaching and learning remained functional. The most serious challenge was unavoidable delays to complete submissions to the regulators which were under way prior to the pandemic, and which consequently also delayed the start of a new cycle of student recruitment, as legal requirements dictate. In order to mediate risks, as well as to address the critical challenges ALUSA faced following disruptions in the wake of COVID, the Board of Directors approved that Rev Dr Rudi Buys, son of Nehonga and also a senior academic manager, be appointed as member of the Board and as soon as possible take over the role of managing director. Rudi supported the institution in voluntary roles since its establishment, as lecturer, doctoral supervisor, associate research coordinator and in general administration, among others as was needed, and therefore is well-known to students, staff and stakeholders of the ALUSA community. He has held several deanships and appointments as chief academic officer at public and private higher education institutions in South Africa.

Preparations started in 2023 for him to take the reigns and Rudi recently this year (2024) joined ALUSA on a full-time basis, and with the support of Dr Khoaseb who earlier already joined ALUSA as associate academic head. Their first priority is to reset and complete registration and accreditation, while also ensuring that professional development initiatives continue and quality teaching and learning operations remain ready, and where needed, continues at pace. As part of their immediate work the ALUSA logo was reimagened and a motto, AFRICA LEADS, introduced as well as the official website and virtual learning platform updated, all of which are indicative of a new phase of growth for impact.

The image of dots to the left represents a wave of change to roll across the continent. The dots that make up the wave that represent the people of Africa, and her leaders, which together create the movements to co-auhtor Africa's future - together they make a broad, African collective. Collectives, as a way of life, represent and point at foundational African values of togetherness, service to the people and sharing of achievements - values that are rooted in the deep histories of diverse and unique cultural communities all across the continent; collectives that make for and showcase the being, the knowledge and the method of leading a continent of change, for renewal. The orange brand colour represents the hues of the morning sunrise - a new day, a call to action and the promise that a new day and people at work, and working together, offers. The logo represents ALUSA as a community, a collective, of knowledge workers who believe that Africa's voice is pivotal to fortify our continent - a voice tp call all Africa to hear and see herself as the giant she is, but also for Africa to offer a leading voice to the world on what is good and right, and does so at a time when humanity yearns for significant leadership. AFRICA LEADS. You are invited to reach out and join the conversation.

*Gerhard L. Buys and Shekutaamba Nambala, History of the church in Namibia, 1805-1990 (2003). Windhoek: Gamsberg Macmillan. ISBN 9991604901 / ISBN 9-99-160490-1 **National Qualifications Framework

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African Leadership University of Southern Africa. PTY Ltd Namibia 2012/1054. Copyright 2012-2024.