“I attended a Golden Key Function at Tukkies last year. It was truly inspirational to see the students (and their parents) express huge pride in being selected to be members of Golden Key. It is a wonderful prize for a combination of hard work and talent.” Clem Sunter, Chairman: Anglo American Chairman’s Fund, 2005

What is Golden Key?

Golden Key is an internationally recognised, non-profit organization affiliated with over 400 universities throughout Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States.  The Society’s mission is to enable members to realize their potential by connecting individual achievement with service and lifelong opportunity. Golden Key is the world’s largest honour society and is a mission-focused, values-based and demographics-driven organization.  With 41 years of rich tradition, Golden Key remains committed to scholarship, career development, leadership and community service. Golden Key South Africa started in 2000 and touched the lives of more than 70,000 South Africans.

Mission, Vision and Values

Our mission defines who we are; our core values provide us guidance in executing our activities; and our history reminds us that over two million members are counting on us to shape the future through our strategic planning process.

Mission: To enable members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service.

Vision: Golden Key is the world’s premier honour society. We recognise academic excellence and provide tangible value to our members, advisors and partners while positively impacting their lives and society.

Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, Diversity, Excellence, Engagement.

Society Leadership

Golden Key International Honour Society is governed by a Board of Directors composed of corporate, nonprofit and academic leaders who provide guidance and support to Golden Key headquarters.

The International Leadership Council oversees the academic integrity of the Society, approves institutions for chartering of chapters and oversees all chapter activity for Golden Key members. The Council of Advisors provide feedback to the Society’s staff and leadership, foster collaboration among chapters in their region and judge a number of regional and international awards. The Council of Student Members serve as a resource on a variety of Society issues, ideas and initiatives.

A small team of full-time professional staff run the different operations globally from a regional office.

Why should I join?

Your hard work has provided you with an opportunity to be formally recognised for your academic achievement. By joining Golden Key you will receive a certificate of membership, be able to list your membership on your CV and attend a ceremony in recognition of your efforts. You can also take advantage of benefits that are exclusively available to Golden Key members, including access to various international scholarships and awards, e-newsletters and invitations to Golden Key conferences and other networking opportunities in distinct academic and corporate cicrles. While at university, you also have the opportunity to serve on your chapter’s executive committee or to participate in the many activities presented by the chapter.

Why was I invited?

Membership is by invitation only and is based purely on academic merit. Membership is limited to the top 15% of degree students, from all disciplines, who have completed at least one year of study. Your university has identified you as meeting these criteria and wants to recognise you for this achievement by providing you with an opportunity to join the Golden Key International Honour Society.

Privacy Policy

Golden Key International Honour Society is committed to protecting private and personal information of our members. Golden Key does not share any member or prospective member’s information with any third party. Golden Key is in compliance with amendments to Chapter 2 – Bill of Rights that guides how private sector organisations may collect, use, disclose, keep secure and provide access to individual personal information.