SPL (School of Public Leadership)
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Welcome to the School of Public Leadership (SPL)!

Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking an interest in our school, we appreciate each and every alumni, existing and potential student who considers SPL as their academic home within Stellenbosch University; whether it is for completing one of our world class academic programmes or partnering in research or in doing consulting work.

Learning for Sustainable African Futures is what the SPL is about.

Our focus falls mainly on areas of:

  • Executive Public Governance, which includes competencies in leadership, public policy, organisational dynamics, service delivering, public finance, accountability, ethics and monitoring and evaluation in the public services;

  • Environmental Management, which takes a multi-disciplinary look at ecological sustainability amidst ever-increasing demands on natural resources; and 

  • Sustainable Development, which takes a trans-disciplinary look at the desired roads to travel towards an environmental sustainable future for all.

The SPL offers Undergraduate modules, Postgraduate degrees and Executive short Courses. Our undergraduate modules in Public and Development Management form part of the Stellenbosch-based residential degree offerings.  The Post-graduate Diplomas in Sustainable Development, Environmental Management, Public Finance Management as well as an Honours Degree in Public Management/Administration, all presented in flexible mode, provide qualification options for a second qualification while working. Each of these programmes are followed by a master's degree in the particular field of specialization, and all master's programmes are topped by our doctoral Programme in Public Management and Development Planning.

The school also has a unique entry-level National Diploma in Public Accountability presented in flexible mode, caters for both school leavers and mid-career students working towards a first qualification while living off-campus. The SPL in past two years have acquired the accreditation for an NQF level 7 Advanced Diploma in Public Accountability, which provides opportunity for a number of diploma in Public Management/ Administration holders to access Post-graduate education qualifications for furthering their career development in the public sector. Many of the modules in these programmes are also presented as short courses, serving as continued professional learning opportunities.

Our students range from full-timers to quite senior mid-career leaders and managers. 

We at the SPL are eager to receive you in our learning environment, whether it is on the iconic main campus in  Stellenbosch, the professional management oriented Bellville Park Campus in Cape Town, the socially and ecologically sensitive Lynedoch Eco-village, or right there where you are bringing us to you through interactive telematics and e-learning. 

​​

Director's Welcome Note for 2023


Happy New Year! 

The start of a new calendar year seems like an obvious time to talk about new beginnings. I'm sure some of our students and staff have a New Year's resolution or two! 

With us being a month into the new year, may I take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the academic year 2023, may this year be a productive and successful year for all of us.

With the lifting of Covid-19 regulations, we are happy to receive all our students, new and returning on our three campuses as our formal full-time programmes and short course classes will be facilitated in person (face to face), providing the student with a truly Stellenbosch University experience.
 
In 2023, SPL will be aiming to strengthen its research outputs through student and academic staff involvement in research projects on post graduate level as well as dedicating this year towards focusing on the development of our undergraduate qualification the B Administration in Public and Development Management, majoring in Public Law, Public Policy and Leadership. The SPL also envisions the revival of our well renowned monthly breakfast discussions on topical issues in the country and looks forward towards our participation in the University’s efforts and vision for community engagement through Social Impact initiatives within the public sector. 

Lastly, let me also take this opportunity to welcome the new cohort of students who completed Grade 12 in 2022 and our returning students. We hope this new chapter will be filled with success and new positive experience. Please feel free to contact our programme coordinators if do need information or have questions with regards to our academic programmes. The programmes are explained in detail on our SPL website.

As per our university motto “Let’s go forward together, masiyeni pamphili, saam vorentoe” 

May 2023 be a great year for all. 

Prof Zwelinzima Ndevu 
Director: SPL 



Message for the Class of 2022

Dear SPL class of 2022​​,

​Firstly, best wishes for the new year. We at the SPL would like to wish you good health and a successful academic year.

We look forward to welcoming you into our formal and short executive courses. Due to COVID-19 level restrictions we will offer our classes with strict observations of COVID-19 regulations such as hand sanitizing/washing of hand​s, regular cleaning of our venues and a social distancing of 1,5m in venues. 

As you prepare for your course to star​​​​​t, please feel free to visit our website http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/economy/spl and short course website http://splshortcourses.co.za/available-courses​ for more information on the SPL and our programmes.​​

All the best for the year ahead.

Regards
Prof Zwelinzima Ndevu
Director: School of Public Leadership (SPL)​​


​​

Director: School of Public​ Leadership​