Celebrating the 5th African School on Decentralisation: A Journey of Learning, Leadership, and Lasting Connections
Our journey kicked off in the beautiful City of Cape Town, where Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed participants. His inspiring keynote address set the stage, illustrating the power of decentralisation through Cape Town's story and challenging us all to reimagine local governance across Africa.
The days were packed with thought-provoking seminars, lively focus group discussions, and a hands-on site visit to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. There, participants saw democracy in action and engaged with members of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs. Mrs Sharonne Adams, Head of Portfolio for Auditing across three provinces [Western Cape, Northern Cape and the Free State], added real-world insight from the Auditor-General’s Office, sharing the triumphs and trials of municipal audits in South Africa.
Week two whisked us away to the scenic Mont Fleur Conference venue in Stellenbosch, nestled among majestic mountains and lush wine farms. Here, sessions explored everything from fiscal distress and property taxes to innovative ways of tackling municipal corruption, including a gripping dialogue with City Manager Mr Johann Mettler. The week also featured the Annual Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture, during which Prof Nico Steytler challenged law students to embody the spirit of Human Rights advocacy.
Of course, it was not all work—participants tackled a written exam, let off steam in ball games, and even hiked the breathtaking Mont Fleur trails. The adventure concluded in style with a festive dinner, where everyone donned their finest traditional African attire to celebrate new friendships and shared achievements.
Feeling inspired? The African School on Decentralisation is more than a course—it's a network, an adventure, and a launchpad for changemakers passionate about Decentralisation and Local government in Africa. If you’re ready to deepen your expertise, expand your horizons, and join a community of leaders shaping the continent, we want YOU at our next edition in 2026!
Follow us on social media and visit our website for updates.
Applications open soon—don’t miss your chance to be part of the next ASD journey!
We extend our sincere thanks to all lecturers and funding partners, including the University of the Western Cape, the National Research Foundation, Commonwealth Local Government Forum, and the Local Public Sector Alliance, for their contributions to the success of this year's school.