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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

Anchen Froneman selected for NY post-grad programme
2015-04-29

Anchen Froneman

Anchen Froneman, PhD-student at the UFS Odeion School of Music (OSM), has been accepted into the Modular Certification Programme in Laban Movement Studies at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (LIMS), in New York (USA). 

This programme is a postgraduate certificate that is considered the equivalent of a master’s degree programme. Successful completion earns the title of Certified Movement Analyst (CMA).  Anchen’s attendance at the first module of the programme from 1 to 17 June 2015 has been made possible by a Postgraduate Scholarship granted by the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust.

Participation in the CMA Programme stems from her multidisciplinary doctoral research project as well as a personal interest in the ways that body movement contributes to a holistic musical performance.  In her research project, she investigates the application of Laban Movement Studies to obtaining embodied, integrative piano performances.  Laban Movement Studies is an approach whereby both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of body movement is analysed, codified, and developed, using specific considerations. This somatic approach uses a framework based on the personal uniqueness and complexity embedded in human movement, explaining and developing the organisation of the body, the position and relation of the body to itself, space, and other objects as well as the dynamic range of body movement. 

CMAs contribute to various areas of human development, including leadership development, cross-cultural communications and management, interpersonal skills and conflict management, team development, self-awareness and performance improvement, performing arts as well  as movement therapies.

Anchen uses the foundation of the Laban approach in her hypothesis that the development of both functional and expressive movement will enhance musical performance.  She also centres this on the literature findings on body movement in the disciplines of music performance, neuroscience, psychology, and physiology. With this project, she aims to make a scholarly contribution towards raising awareness of the importance of integrating functional and expressive movements in performance.

Anchen completed her previous music qualifications at the OSM.

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