Sam Isaacs, who became the pioneer of South Africa's National Qualifications Framework (NQF), is remembered for his unwavering belief in education, learning, and development. He was recognized as a visionary and an inspiring leader.
It is with deep sadness that the passing of Mr. Samuel Benjamin Aranda Isaacs has been announced. His life's work reflected a firm conviction that education, training, development, and work are tools for social justice, personal empowerment, and national progress. His deeply ethical approach was shaped by his previous and subsequent work as a minister of the Anglican Church.
As South Africa transitioned to democracy in the early 1990s, he led the joint political process aimed at creating an integrated and equitable learning system in the country. This system subsequently evolved into the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a permanent national institute. In 1995, as the coordinator of the Work Development Committee on the NQF, and then in 1996 as the first Chairperson of the SAQA Council, and from 1997 as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for 15 years, Mr. Isaacs brought intellectual depth, a profound sense of humanity, insight, and practical guidance to the development of the NQF.
He understood that building a national structure required more than just sound policy; it demanded democratic participation, continuous dialogue, trust between institutions, and a firm commitment to lifelong learning. His constant call to action sounded like, 'we will build the NQF road by walking thoughtfully, responsibly, and bravely,' drawing on the fundamental works of Paulo Freire and Myles Horton. This call reflected both the complexity of the task and his patient, courageous, active, and reflective approach to leadership. He remained at the helm after the first review of the NQF and the adoption of the NQF Act, helping to strengthen the collaboration among NQF partners as the system 'began to dance.'
As a lifelong lover and advocate of the arts, he ensured these achievements were immortalized in sculptures of dancing figures placed in the Mwalimu SAQA boardroom. These figures were donated to SAQA by Orlando de Almeida, a sculptor, and his wife Hildegard. He also provided the organization with works from his extensive private art collection, ensuring that the SAQA House always featured a generous exhibition of local artists' paintings and engravings.
His contribution was based on a compelling vision of a transformed education and learning system that could overcome past fragmentation and inequality and open up meaningful opportunities for all people for development, progress, and recognition of their knowledge. He actively supported a structure that connects diverse educational contexts, promotes redress, inclusivity, mobility, and advances quality and transparency.
He spearheaded the national initiative to expand 'communication, coordination, and collaboration' within the context of the NQF. He personally visited various NQF partner organizations and stakeholders with the SAQA team to establish a long-term national career counseling system. He encouraged people to think not only about 'qualifications' but also about the 'social use of qualifications,' recognizing that knowledge, skills, and competencies are acquired in different settings and utilized as 'capital' in various ways.
In this work, he helped place fairness, transparency, and public accountability at the heart of South Africa's qualifications system. Mr. Isaacs realized that sustainable reform could not be achieved by any single organization or sector. His early reflections on the 'NQF as an ecosystem' provided an early roadmap for including professional bodies and their designations, and more recently, for transitioning to the inclusion of national micro-qualifications.
He valued consultation and brought together organizations and people with different histories, interests, and perspectives in the common cause of the NQF. Through principled engagement, attentive listening, and a willingness to learn, he fostered the partnerships necessary to sustain the NQF. His leadership combined strategic vision with understanding, enabling him to facilitate participant contributions while keeping the overarching goal—a more coherent, inclusive, and responsive system—in focus.
He was an inspirational CEO, highly regarded by SAQA Council members, directors, and staff. Three hours of management meetings per week ensured that SAQA leadership benefited from the knowledge and involvement in vibrant developments and collaborations both inside and outside his extensive national and international networks.
The current Chairperson of the SAQA Council, Dr. James Kivi, often notes that the foundations of his career began under Dr. Isaacs' leadership: 'As a young white man working in a new democratic institution at the time, of which SAQA was a shining example, there was no good reason for Sam to take me under his wing. Nevertheless, he did it again and again. He was a tough boss. A kind mentor. Mostly, he was the best example of a reflective, responsible, and brave leader anyone could wish for. I will miss him very much.'
In true democratic style, leaders were expected to demonstrate this approach to their teams. SAQA as an organization modeled the egalitarian approach it promoted. He also laid the groundwork and participated in establishing SAQA as a learning organization, providing all employees with opportunities for formal, informal, and non-formal learning—a tradition that continues to this day.