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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

List of important platforms for students to stay abreast of announcements in faculties
2016-10-24

The university will re-start teaching and learning at undergraduate and honours level in the first week of November 2016. However, teaching and learning will not take place in the classrooms during November 2016, but through a different mode of delivery that consists of a combination of printed and recorded lectures, study materials, and learning aids that will be provided by the university and delivered through Blackboard and other platforms.
 
To assist students in getting their studies back on track, the Centre for Teaching and Learning compiled an Academic Reboot Pack. Included in the pack is a list with relevant hyperlinks to faculty-specific sites where staff from the different departments will communicate important information about students’ studies.
 
Please see extract from the Academic Reboot Pack – which was provided to students – containing important hyperlinks to the platforms in the different faculties where important information is communicated to students (if the hyperlinks do not work, copy the link and paste it into your browser).


Released by:

Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loader@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

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