Purpose

The Hub for Philosophical Counselling in Southern Africa (PCHSA) brings together Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice and Philosophy as a Way of Life, with the goal of facilitating scholarly and professional conversations and advancing research from a uniquely Southern African philosophical viewpoint. Located in the Global South, PCHSA prioritizes African concerns, yet remains engaged with global discourse.

Vision

PCHSA’s vision is to become the leading African institution offering both research and practical approaches in Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life within Southern Africa. Its mission centres on developing these applied philosophical fields to help individuals lead lives that are more ethical, meaningful, and just. Through this work, PCHSA seeks to address complex challenges faced by societies, individuals, and environments.

Motivation for establishing the Hub at NWU

The establishment of the Hub for Philosophical Counselling in Southern Africa (PCHSA) at the North-West University (NWU) in September 2026 represents a timely and strategically aligned initiative that responds to both growing national demand and emerging global trends in applied philosophy. Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life are increasingly recognised as important avenues through which philosophy can engage directly with societal, ethical, and existential challenges. The NWU, with its established strengths in philosophy, ethics, and interdisciplinary research, is ideally positioned to take a leadership role in institutionalising and advancing this field within Southern Africa and the broader African context.

Over the past few years (especially after Covid), there has been a marked increase in interest in Philosophical Counselling within Southern Africa. This is evidenced by well-attended discussion groups, a growing cohort of postgraduate students pursuing research in this area, and the organisation of national symposia that have attracted significant scholarly participation . Despite this momentum, the field currently lacks a central institutional hub that can provide academic legitimacy, coordination, and strategic direction. The PCHSA addresses this gap by creating a formal structure within NWU to consolidate and lead these activities.

The primary purpose of the PCHSA is to bring together the domains of Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life, facilitating scholarly engagement while promoting practical applications of philosophy in everyday life . This integrated approach aligns strongly with NWU’s commitment to social responsiveness, ethical leadership, and transformative scholarship. By situating the PCHSA within the Global South, the Hub will foreground African philosophical perspectives and lived realities, while simultaneously engaging with global discourses. This positioning is critical in ensuring that philosophical counselling practices are contextually relevant and responsive to the unique socio-cultural and ethical challenges faced in Southern Africa.
 

The Hub for Philosophical Counselling in Southern Africa has the responsibility and objectives for the following:

1. To develop, promote and enhance the applied philosophical fields, Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life within Southern Africa.
2. To coordinate discussions, conferences, colloquiums, symposia and research on Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life within Southern Africa.
3. To create a network and strengthening relations between the practitioners, academics/researchers, postgraduate students and other stakeholders regarding Philosophical Counselling in Southern Africa.
4. To take initiative and develop short courses and training on Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life within Southern Africa.
5. To act as the unified body of practitioners of Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life within Southern Africa and ensure proper communication (e.g. a webpage) is done to enhance this.
6. To engage with posthuman ethical questions which include but are not limited to the ecological crisis and the co-imbrication of society and technology, 
7. To engage with indigenous and African ethical perspectives and practices,
8. To integrate local knowledge with global dialogues on Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life,
9. To create a hub for trans- and interdisciplinary research.
10. To apply for grants and other external funding. 
11. To organise workshops, webinars and conferences (and other forums).
12. To invite visiting professors and other researchers to participate in research projects and contract them for specific research outputs and tasks as needed.
13. To publish research outputs in academic journals, books and other platforms.
14. To serve the NWU and the Southern African academic community, and the wider society with expert advice and research on Philosophical Counselling, Philosophical Practice, and Philosophy as a Way of Life within Southern Africa.
15. To investigate and coordinate possible accreditation of practitioners to professional associations like the Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP) and international organisations like the Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation Institute (Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation Institute) in the USA.
16. To report back on work to FAS (Focus Area Sustainability) and the School of Philosophy and Global Futures, within the faculty of Humanities at the North-West University, at its scheduled meetings.

Listed as one of its main objectives (15) is that the PCHSA will investigate and coordinate possible accreditation of practitioners to professional associations like the Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP) in South Africa, and international organisations like the Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation Institute (Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation Institute) in the USA.

Other universities in Southern Africa will be invited to be affiliated to the PCHSA. The following universities are already considering affiliation:

• Stellenbosch University
• Rhodes University
• University of Fort Hare
• University of Pretoria
• University of Johannesburg
• University of KwaZulu-Natal

The PCHSA aims to create valuable opportunities for postgraduate students. By developing structured programmes, short learning programmes (SLPs), and potentially accredited qualifications, the Hub will enable students to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies. This includes supervised practice in philosophical counselling and pathways towards professional accreditation with recognised bodies such as the Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP) . Such opportunities not only enhance student employability but also address broader societal needs for accessible, ethically grounded counselling services.

A short learning program (SLP) has already been approved by the Senate of the NWU and will be launched soon. The NWU will seek to collaborate with other universities in presenting these SLP’s, workshops and training.
 

The Hub for Philosophical Counselling in Southern Africa formally comprises of the following members:

1. Chairperson – as elected by the School of Philosophy and Global Futures of the NWU for a two-year term. 
2. The director of the School of Philosophy and Global Futures of the NWU.
3. NWU Philosophy Postgraduate Programme Leader.
4. Academic staff members of the NWU School of Philosophy and Global Futures (permanent and/or contract) on a voluntary basis, and as far as they can align their research with PCHSA’s aims. 
5. Contracted researchers, extraordinary researchers, postdoctoral fellows and professors as invited by PCHSA. These may be internal (NWU) or external members.
6. Researchers from other schools and entities within the faculty, or from other NWU faculties, or from other universities (national and international) on an ad hoc basis as needed.
7. Postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows who can align their research with PCHSA’s aims.
8. The Steering Committee of PCHSA consist of the chairperson, the director of the school of Philosophy and Global Futures, and the Philosophy Postgraduate Programme Leader.

Affiliated Membership of the Hub can include any individual who are approved by the steering committee of the Hub. The membership list below will be updated accordingly. 

Members (September 2026):

1. Anné Verhoef
2. Jaco Louw
3. Yolandi Coetser
4. Michelle McCallum

Practitioners and Accredited Philosophical Councillors will also be listed here in future.
 

Prof Anné Verhoef

anne.verhoef@nwu.ac.za 

Dr Jaco Louw

j.louw@ufh.ac.za