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22 April 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Prof Elizabeth Mburu
Prof Elizabeth Mburu hopes to one day work as a consultant on various Bible translation projects in Africa.
Very competitive, shy at first – but when you get to know her, you will see that she is straightforward and says things as they are. This is Melissa Opperman, recipient of the Dean’s Medal for achieving the best results in a bachelor’s degree in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of the Free State (UFS). She collected this prestigious award during the April Graduation ceremonies on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Breaking the stigma around theology

About receiving the medal, Opperman says it is a great honour and privilege. “I always felt like I had to prove myself, even more so in the field of theology, as I am a female and we only recently got recognised by the church. This medal is not just for me, but for every lady studying theology and enduring the difficulties and suppression that come with it.”

This is also what motivated her, proving people wrong who underestimated her. “I was highly underestimated. As a woman, I had a point to prove – that I belong in theology. Jesus included everyone,” she states. 

Opperman, who is doing her honour’s degree in Divinity, wanted to pursue a career in teaching or psychology. “Enrolling for Theology was a blessing and a calling from Christ. It was not my choice but rather His plan for me,” she says. After her studies, Opperman wants to become a full-time minister and continue with her psychological studies, following a career as a pastoral psychologist. 

Having the opportunity to make a difference, she says she would like to break the stigma around what theology is and what it may entail. “There are numerous opportunities in this discipline, and it is not only learning to read the Bible; it is a very complex field in which there is space for engagement,” she adds. 

Called to empower the Church in its African expression

Receiving the Dean’s Medal in the Faculty of Theology and Religion for obtaining the best results in respect of a master’s degree (in Bible Translation), is Prof Elizabeth Mburu. 

With the great demand for translation consultants to meet the need for translations coming from Africa, as well as her love for biblical languages, Prof Mburu decided to pursue studies in this field. 

She was motivated by the recognition that the knowledge and skills acquired through formal education are not about her self-aggrandisement. “My scholarship is meant for the Church. I believe that I am called to empower the Church in its African expression. This strengthens me to face any obstacles or hurdles I inevitably encounter along the way.” 

During her studies, she says that she specifically enjoyed the class interaction. “It was refreshing and enlightening to hear ideas from, and engaging in the experiences of, people living in different parts of the continent.”

On completion of her studies, she plans to continue working for Langham Publishing, developing contextual resources. “I would, however, like to enhance my work with the knowledge and skills I have acquired. I believe learning the theory and practice of Bible Translation would help me in my current field,” says Prof Mburu, who also hopes to one day work as a consultant on various Bible translation projects in Africa.

“I would like to encourage those in Biblical studies and Bible translation work, as well as other related fields, to develop contextual models in their approach to the biblical text and its application. We need to recognise that we have our own unique issues on the continent, and the foreign methods we have been exposed to – while good – tend to be limited. We need contextual solutions to contextual issues, and this can only be achieved by Africans, stressing the need to engage our African context on our own terms. I believe that whatever we do ought to be in service of the Church and society, and we need to be pursuing genuine transformation of our religious, social, economic, and political spheres,” she says. 

This degree at the UFS is Prof Mburu’s third master’s degree. She also has a Master of Divinity, which she obtained from the Nairobi International School of Theology (now the International Leadership University), as well as a Master of Sacred Theology from Northwest Baptist Seminary (now the Corban University School of Ministry). She received her PhD in New Testament from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in 2008.

Melissa Opperman



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

Melissa Opperman would like to break the stigma around what
theology is and what it entails. Photo: Supplied)

News Archive

New challenges for animal science discussed
2006-04-04

Some of the guests attending the congress were from the left Dr Heinz Meissner (honorary president of the South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) and senior manager at the Animal Production Institute of the Agricultural Research Council), Mr Paul Bevan (President of SASAS) and Prof Magda Fourie (Vice-Rector:  Academic Planning at the UFS).
Photo: Lacea Loader

New challenges for animal science discussed  

The South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) is presenting its 41st Congress at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Main Campus in Bloemfontein. 

The congress started yesterday and will run until Thursday 6 April 2006.  The theme is New challenges for the animal science industries.

It is one of the largest congresses in the 45 years since SASAS was founded in 1961.  Among the delegates 12 African countries are represented, with the biggest delegation from Kenya.  Delegates are also from the United States of America, Iran, Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal and African countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.

“Many of our members play an important role in the training of animal scientists at universities.  The congress is specifically industry orientated so that scientists can interact with farmers through the respective producer organisations,” said Prof HO de Waal, Chairperson of the organising committee and lecturer at the UFS Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences.

According to Dr Heinz Meissner, honorary president of SASAS and a senior manager at the Animal Production Institute of the Agricultural Research Council, the National Livestock Strategy (NLS) Plan clarifies the role and responsibility of the livestock sector. 

“Through this strategy we need to focus on enhancing equitable access and participation in livestock agriculture, improve global competitiveness and profitability of the livestock sector and ensure that the ventures implemented do not over utilise our resources,” said Dr Meissner.

In her welcoming address, Prof Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector:  Academic Planning at the UFS highlighted the related challenges that the UFS will be focusing on specifically over the next five years.  “We have identified five strategic clusters that represent broad areas of excellence in research and post-graduate education.  Two of these are food production, quality and safety for Africa and sustainable development,” she said.

“The food safety and security cluster will focus on the production of food in all its varieties within the African context, encompassing the entire value chain – from production to consumption and nutrition related issues.  This would include a strong emphasis on sustainable production systems,” she said.

According to Prof Fourie the rural development cluster will engage in questions around the role of higher education in sustainable development.  “One of the focus areas in this strategic cluster pertains to sustainable livelihoods.  It refers to a way of approaching development that incorporates all aspects of human livelihoods and means by which people obtain them,” she said.

Prof Fourie said that the challenges we are facing such as food production can only be effectively addressed through collaborative efforts.  “That is why it is important that collaboration takes place between different scientific disciplines, researchers, institutions and countries who are confronted with similar difficulties,” she said.

According to Prof de Waal the congress will give key role players a unique opportunity to present a profile of what they perceive an animal scientist should be and state their specific requirement regarding the animal sciences and its applications. 

“In this way we can determine what the industry’s needs are and we can re-align our curriculum to suit these needs,” said Prof de Waal.

During the next two days, various areas of interest will be discussed.  This includes ruminant and monogastric nutrition, animal physiology, beef, dairy, sheep and ostrich breeding and sustainable farming covering the range from commercial to the small-scale farming level.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
4 April 2006

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