Theology Faculty 25 Years Celebration

You are invited to a celebration event on 12 September 2025 at the Stellenbosch University (SU) Faculty of Theology, as part of the SU's Homecoming Week for alumni. The theme, '25 years together: SU Faculty of Theology, a home for all', will reflect on our journey since the year 2000.

At the time, the Uniting Reformed Church in South Africa (URCSA) moved the training of students for the ministry from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to Stellenbosch.

The programme will include a message from the Dean and the Vice-Chancellor, historical reflections by church representatives and students who were here when we set off together in 2000, and the experiences and thoughts of deans since then. We will also hear from current students, who they are, how they experience the Faculty and the field of theology, and what their plans are for the future.

If you are an alumnus or friend of the Faculty, or simply interested, please join us. There will be plenty of time to look around, reconnect and catch up with old friends and colleagues.

Event details:

Date: Friday 12 September 2025

Time: 09:00 to 14:00

Venue: Attie van Wijk Auditorium, Faculty of Theology, 171 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch

Enquiries: Divine Robertson at [email protected]

Programme:

09:00: Official Welcome – Rector and Vice Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, and Dean Prof Reggie Nel

09:15: Panel Discussion - The process up to and experiences of 2000. Dr Natie Philander (URCSA), Rev Johnny Hartney (URCSA), Dr Coenie Burger (DRC), Rev Ankia du Plooÿ (Student 2000), Rev Jetro Cloete (Student 2000), Mr Abè Pieterse (Student 2000)

10:15: Highlights and challenges over the past 25 years – Deans' perspectives - Profs Bernard Combrink, Daniël Louw, Nico Koopman, Elna Mouton, Hendrik Bosman

11:00: Tea and Photo

11:30 - 12:00: Making the circle bigger. Church partners then and today

12:00: The new generation: Studying theology at Stellenbosch today. Six current students (undergraduate and postgraduate)

13:30: Closing followed by a light lunch

We are looking forward to welcoming you back!

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Jy word hartlik uitgenooi na 'n vieringsgeleentheid op 12 September 2025 by die Fakulteit Teologie van die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US), as deel van die US se Tuiskomsweek vir alumni. Die tema, "25 jaar saam: US Fakulteit Teologie, 'n tuiste vir almal", sal fokus op ons reis sedert die jaar 2000.

Destyds het die Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suider-Afrika (VGKSA) die opleiding van studente vir die bediening van die Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland (UWK) na Stellenbosch verskuif.

Die program sluit onder andere boodskappe van die Dekaan en Visekanselier in, historiese terugblikke deur kerkleiers en studente wat hier was toe ons in 2000 saam die reis begin het. Dekane wat sedertdien gedien het, sal ook hul ervarings en insigte deel. Ons sal ook hoor van huidige studente, wie hulle is, hoe hulle die Fakulteit en die studieveld van teologie ervaar, en wat hulle toekomsplanne is.

As jy 'n alumnus of vriend van die Fakulteit is, of eenvoudig net belangstel, sluit asseblief by ons aan. Daar sal ruim geleentheid wees om rond te loop en ou vriende en kollegas weer te sien.

Geleentheidsbesonderhede:

Datum: Vrydag 12 September 2025

Tyd: 09:00 tot 14:00

Plek: Attie van Wijk-ouditorium, Fakulteit Teologie, Dorpstraat 171, Stellenbosch

Navrae: Divine Robertson by [email protected]

Program:

09:00: Amptelike Verwelkoming – Rektor en Visekanselier prof Deresh Ramjugernath en Dekaan prof Reggie Nel

09:15: Paneelbespreking – Die proses tot en met 2000 en die ervarings daarvan. Dr Natie Philander (VGKSA), ds Johnny Hartney (VGKSA), dr Coenie Burger (NGK), eerw Ankia du Plooÿ (Student 2000), eerw Jetro Cloete (Student 2000), mnr Abè Pieterse (Student 2000)

10:15: Hoogtepunte en uitdagings oor die afgelope 25 jaar – Dekane se perspektiewe – proff Bernard Combrink, Daniël Louw, Nico Koopman, Elna Mouton, Hendrik Bosman

11:00: Tee en Foto

11:30 – 12:00: Maak die kring groter. Kerkvennote toe en vandag

12:00: Die nuwe generasie: Om teologie te studeer aan Stellenbosch vandag. Ses huidige studente (voorgraads en nagraads)

13:30: Afsluiting gevolg deur ligte middagete

Ons sien uit daarna om jou terug te verwelkom!