Anne van Zyl

Anne van Zyl is a South African education administrator from Cape Town, South Africa. She is the headmistress of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. She has also been headmistress at five different schools including Pretoria High School for Girls, St. Stithians College, Stanford Lake College and Bridge House School. She is known in academic circles for her work in education, including the integration of Pretoria High School for Girls which became the first segregated white state school in the Northern Transvaal to open its doors to all races during apartheid when integrated state schools were still illegal.

Early education Van Zyl went to high school at St Cyprian's, Cape Town. After graduation, she went on an exchange student program to San Mateo High School in California under the American Field Service program. She soon moved up the ranks by becoming, Head of Department of English and then Deputy Head. By 1988 she had become Principal of Pretoria High School for Girls.

Later education career She was appointed Founder Head of St Stithian's Collegiate in 1995. In 2001 she became Head of Stanford Lake College in Magoebaskloof, Limpopo Province. In 2003 she became the Head of Bridge House School in Franschhoek. St. Stitihians became the first South African School to be accepted as members of the Round Square International movement because of its emphasis on "internationalism, democracy, environmental awareness, adventure, leadership and service (IDEALS)". She was appointed Head of the Academy in January 2010. She took over in 2010 after controversies surrounding former headmistress, Tiny Virginia Makopo.

Achievements St Mary's DSG – Board member Mitchell House – Board member Penryn College – Board member International Board of Round Square member St Cyprian's Council – Member