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17 May 2022 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Supplied
Dr Sello Thinane
Dr Jonas Thinane graduated with a PhD from the University of South Africa.
Dr Jonas Thinane, who recently obtained his PhD in Theology from the University of South Africa (Unisa), has been working in the Department of Hebrew since his first year as a Theology student; he is currently employed as departmental administrator in the department. 

It was his diligence and comments that convinced Prof Cynthia Miller-Naude to offer him employment as student assistant in the department.  His work involves overseeing the administration of three entwined units within the department.  “I am really proud of all that he has accomplished since then, seizing every opportunity available for learning and growing, without allowing obstacles to block his path,” said Prof Miller-Naude. 

His PhD focused on Human rights abuse by some self-styled spiritual leaders within the ‘Nyaope religion’ in South Africa and was supervised by Prof MS Kgatle from the Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology at Unisa. 

An avid academic and researcher 

Apart from the research he undertook to complete his PhD in less than two years, he published nine accredited articles and a chapter in a book between 2021 and 2022. “I currently have six articles undergoing peer review and am working on more to publish in local and international journals this year,” says Dr Thinane. 

Dr Thinane’s research specialisation lies within Missiology, where he has introduced new knowledge to the subject matter through extensive writing on concepts of missio hominum (mission of human beings) in relation to the broader setting of the Missio Dei (Mission of God). “Beyond this, some of my published articles cover broad yet relevant topics such as COVID-19 and vaccine challenges in South Africa, the question of mandatory vaccination from a religious perspective, the ANC step-aside rule in conflict with Thuma Mina objectives, and many other topics relevant to our current challenges in South Africa,” Dr Thinane says. 

“I am sure that he will make a great contribution to academia for the benefit of society in the future,” says Prof Miller-Naude. 

Support and motivation from department 

Dr Thinane is very appreciative of the support he received from the department throughout his PhD journey. 
This is indeed a great achievement within the scope of the UFS’ encouragement for publication on subjects that greatly contribute to the cognition and advancement of our society.
Dr Thinane graduation
From the left: Dr KJ Padi (UFS Practical and Missional Theology), Dr A Motsei (UFS African Languages), Dr JS Thinane (Department of Hebrew),
Dr M Choane (UFS Political Studies and Governance), Prof MS Kgatle (UNISA Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology),
Dr ME Maibi (UFS alumnus). (Photo: Supplied)

News Archive

UFS outlines research achievements
2011-09-02

 

At the launch of the 2010 Annual Research Report, were from the left: Mr Robert Kriger, the director for Policy and Strategy at the National Research Foundation (NRF); Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic and Prof. Frans Swanepoel, Senior Director: Research Development.
Photo: Stephen Collett

The University of the Free State (UFS) is well on course for delivery on its most important academic duty as a research university. This was the message that came forward at the launch of the 2010 Annual Research Report of the UFS on 30 August 2011.

Speakers at the launch, which included Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, as well as Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academics outlined the key strategies and achievements of the UFS for the 2010 academic year. This included the establishment of a Postgraduate School at the UFS, the first of its kind at a public university in South Africa. Prof. Hay told guests that the aim of the Postgraduate School was to broaden research and deepens scholarship on postgraduate education in the country. She highlighted some initiatives the UFS undertook in 2010 to build and maintain its intellectual capital. Some of these initiatives included the appointment of seven senior professors and recruiting more female and black scholars and academics.   
Also speaking at the event was Mr Robert Kriger, the director for Policy and Strategy at the National Research Foundation (NRF). Kriger reflected on the brilliant minds of scholars such as Archie Mafeje, Lewis Nkosi and Dennis Brutus and argued for efforts to increase the country’s research output.
Some highlights of the 2010 Annual Research Report:
  • The total funding available for research at the UFS increased from approximately R199 million in 2009 to just over R210 million in 2010. A total of R31.8 million was made available from central university funds.
  • In 2010 the UFS was home to 92 NRF-rated researchers. During 2010, four researchers applied for re-evaluation and of these, two improved their rating, while a further five received a first-time rating.
  • The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences continue to be the most prolific producer of publications in accredited journals, while the Faculty of Education has shown a 54% increase in its publication output.
  • Staff members in the Physics department at the UFS Qwaqwa Campus published 22 papers in international peer-reviewed journals during 2010.
  • Also at the Qwaqwa Campus: Ms Khethiwe Mtshali,a postgraduate student in the parasitology research unit of the Department of Zoology and Entomology, received a best Honours presenter award at the 1st Annual Research symposium of the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa.

 

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