Meet our Mentors

SAFWS REPRESENTATIVE

William Bester has dedicated the past 30 years to the field of education. His passion for educating children through the principles of Waldorf Education was cultivated during his formative years as a student at Michael Mount Waldorf School. Following his tenure as a Waldorf class teacher, William was appointed Headmaster of Michael Mount Waldorf School, a position he has held for the past 23 years.

In 2002, William was appointed as a Council Member of the Southern African Federation of Waldorf Schools and was later appointed as a Director. In 2023, he assumed the dual role of Headmaster of Michael Mount Waldorf School and National Coordinator of the Southern African Federation of Waldorf Schools. His responsibilities include advocacy, government liaison work within the broader education sector, and support to 16 Waldorf Schools.

William’s passion for education led him to establish a post-matric graduate programme, Adventure Leadership (2017-2019), which focused on life’s adventures, finding purpose, expressing interests, and developing innovative and entrepreneurial skills.

The Waldorf International Forum, also known as The Hague Circle, invited William to join as a representative of Southern Africa. He joined a group of 45 representatives from around the world, attending two international meetings annually to review trends and pertinent issues facing education worldwide.

William is a long-standing member of the National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations (NAISA) and currently holds the position of Chair of NAISA. He has also served as a Councillor on the South African Council of Educators for the past 13 years.