Exploring successful principalship in South Africa: a case study.

Abstract

In line with international studies this study reports in a case study how a South African school principal succeeded in sustaining leadership despite the challenges South African schools experience and how the principal’s leadership practice related to core leadership practices required for a school principal to be successful. Data were collected by means of open-ended interviews with the principal and his staff. The following main themes were constructed: (1) Personal traits; (2) Leadership style; and (3) Ability to sustain and improve development. Secondary empirical data from previous studies in the school supported the findings in this study. The findings of this case study have implications for South African school principals: (1) Principals need to be fully committed to improve the quality of learning in schools; (2) they need to be skilful in effectively using available resources; (3) successful principalship develops over time and requires a clear vision, optimism, high performance expectations and acting with care and integrity to nurture trust among role players.