The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the nation at large are mourning the passing of Samuel Benjamin Arend Isaacs, a visionary and inspirational leader who was instrumental in developing South Africa's National Qualifications Framework (NQF). His life's work reflects an unwavering belief in education, training, development, and work as instruments of social justice, personal empowerment, and national development. Isaacs' profoundly ethical approach was influenced by his earlier work as a Minister of the Anglican Church.
As South Africa transitioned to democracy in the early 1990s, Isaacs led the collaborative policy process to realise the country's integrated, equitable learning system, which grew into SAQA as an enduring national institution. He served as convenor of the Committee for Development Work on the NQF in 1995, the first Chairperson of the SAQA Board in 1996, and its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for 15 years. During his tenure, Isaacs brought intellectual depth, a deep sense of humanity, insight, and practical direction to the NQF's development.
Isaacs understood that building a national framework required more than sound policy; it demanded democratic participation, sustained dialogue, trust among institutions, and a steadfast commitment to lifelong learning. His consistent call to action was "we will make the NQF road by walking reflectively, accountably and boldly," drawing on the seminal work of Paulo Freire and Myles Horton. This approach captured both the complexity of this work and his patient, courageous, active, and reflective approach to leadership.
Isaacs was a lifelong lover and promoter of the arts, and he ensured that SAQA's developments were captured in the sculpture of dancing figures, placed strategically in SAQA's Mwalimu boardroom, by Orlando de Almeida. He also loaned work from his extensive personal art collection to the organisation, ensuring that SAQA House always housed a generous display of the paintings and prints of local artists. His contribution was rooted in a compelling vision of a transformed education and training system.
The current Board Chairperson of SAQA, Dr James Keevy, has praised Isaacs' leadership, saying that he was a tough boss and a kind mentor who modelled the approach he promoted. Keevy noted that Isaacs took him under his wing when he was a young white man working in a new democratic institution, and that his leadership combined strategic purpose with understanding, enabling contributors while keeping sight of the larger goal of a more coherent, inclusive, and responsive system.
Isaacs' legacy includes laying the foundations of SAQA as a learning organisation with opportunities for all staff to learn formally, non-formally, and informally – a tradition which continues today. His leadership and vision have had a lasting impact on South Africa's education sector, and he will be remembered as a champion of fairness, transparency, and public accountability.
The South African Qualifications Authority and the nation at large will miss Isaacs' leadership and vision. His soul rests in peace.
Key points
- Sam Isaacs played a crucial role in shaping South Africa's National Qualifications Framework.
- Isaacs was a visionary leader who championed education, training, development, and work as instruments of social justice, personal empowerment, and national development.
- His legacy includes laying the foundations of SAQA as a learning organisation with opportunities for all staff to learn formally, non-formally, and informally.
