Christel House South Africa is proud to announce the official appointment of Dr Ronald Fortune as our permanent Chief Academic Officer (CAO). A highly respected education leader with more than 38 years of experience, Dr Fortune steps into this pivotal role to further advance our mission and expansion goals.

Dr Fortune’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for our organisation as we expand in South Africa to reach more students and communities. As Chief Academic Officer, he will oversee the Programmes and Services across Christel House SA’s various schools, ensuring a unified academic strategy and consistent standards of excellence across all campuses.

A Visionary Educator with a Legacy of Impact

“I’ve always believed that success depends on persistence. You don’t need a title to lead – leadership is about making a difference wherever you are,” says Dr Fortune. “Christel House has proven that with the right support and values, every child can succeed.”

As Chief Academic Officer, Dr Fortune will lead and execute Christel House South Africa’s strategic academic vision, ensuring that every student receives a high-quality, character-based, and career-focused education. His role oversees all academic departments, including the Junior School, High School, College and Careers, and Social Services, integrating academic excellence with psychosocial and family support.

This position is central to Christel House’s holistic education model, which combines rigorous academics with primary healthcare, nutrition, counselling, and career development, empowering students to thrive.

A Career Rooted in Purpose and Progress

Before joining Christel House, Dr Fortune served as Principal at Windsor High School in Rondebosch, where he cultivated a passion for mentoring young people and empowering under-resourced communities.

For over two decades, Dr Fortune has been an integral part of the Christel House family. He joined in 2005, when we opened our first high school, and has since played a vital role in shaping academic excellence and our holistic education model. Under his leadership as High School Principal, we celebrated our first matric class in 2009 with a 100% pass rate, setting the tone for ongoing academic success.

Known for his visionary leadership and research-driven approach, Dr Fortune sees Christel House as a blueprint for educational transformation in South Africa.

“Christel House can write a book on our model. We have the solutions. My goal is to strengthen our systems and share our success so that others can replicate it,” he explains.

Leading Christel House into a New Era of Excellence

In his new role, Dr Fortune will focus on fostering collaboration among educators, driving innovation in teaching, and maintaining Christel House SA’s exceptional record of success, which includes a 99% matric pass rate since inception and 95% alumni engagement in work or study.

Strengthening Our Talent for Sustainable Growth

Our staff are central to achieving our vision and mission. In his role as CAO, Dr Fortune will work closely with our Talent and Culture Manager to ensure recruitment and development strategies identify candidates who are not only highly skilled but also aligned with Christel House SA’s values and holistic approach. By securing the right talent, he will support sustainable growth, and ensure that as we expand, every new hire contributes to the long-term success and impact of our schools.

Beyond the Professional Achievements

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr Fortune is also a marathon runner, family man, and community leader, embodying the values he inspires in his students. “You can succeed in anything if you are consistently persistent,” he says.

Christel House South Africa congratulates Dr Ronald Fortune on his appointment as Chief Academic Officer. We look forward to his continued impact as he leads our academic vision into an exciting new chapter, building brighter futures for generations of Christel House SA students.

To learn more about our mission and how you can support us in achieving our expansion goals, please email partnership@sa.christelhouse.org