Rector Doctor Pastor Heinz Hiestermann, Pretoria
In 2021, the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane (LTS) applied for accreditation from the Council of Higher Education and registration with the Department of Higher Education and Training. At this stage, our seminary has achieved conditional accreditation. The decision to apply for accreditation has led to many changes at LTS.
Firstly, the number of lecturers has increased, and the quality of education has improved. Instead of the 3 full-time and 4 part-time lecturers we had a few years ago, we will soon have 5 full-time and 6 part-time lecturers. Full-time lecturers are Dr Heinz Hiestermann (FELSISA), Rev. Mintesinot Hanfato (Ethiopia), Dr Elliot Sithole (LCSA), Rev. Fernando Huf (Brazil), and from July onwards, Dr Dieter Reinstorf (FELSISA). Part-time lecturers are Rev. Nathan Mntambo (FELSISA), Dr Radikobo Ntsimane (LCSA), Dr Christoph Weber (MLC), Pastor Peter Weber (MLC), Pastor Kurt Schnackenberg (FELSISA), Mr Tobias Schütze (MLC) and Pastor Robert van Niekerk (UP), who teaches Greek and Hebrew.
The Council of Higher Education (CHE) also requires the building of new classrooms. Currently old garages are used as classrooms. They were not deemed suitable for use as classrooms by the CHE. We are planning to build three new classrooms, as well as a dining room for the students. Currently, students eat outside under the trees, as there is no suitable room to use as a dining room. Finally, a new student dorm is also planned. When students move into the new dorm, some of the current student accommodation could be rented out to hopefully improve the financial situation of the seminary. In total, the size of the new building will be around 550m2.
If the building plans are approved in time, we’re planning to start construction in August, and finish the new building in January 2025. The building project will be fully financed by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We thank them for their partnership and incredible generosity.
This year, we have students from South Africa, Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria and the DRC Congo at our seminary. The LTS is the only confessional Lutheran Seminary in the whole of southern Africa, and without the LTS, many churches would have no seminary where they could send their students to learn confessional Lutheran theology.
A hearty thanks to all congregations and individuals who regularly support the LTS as a mission project. Without your gifts, we cannot exist, and because of your gifts, thousands of people in various African countries are faithfully served by Word and Sacrament Sunday after Sunday.
May the Lord bless the new building project, and grant that the new building will be used in his service and lead to the expansion of his kingdom in our country and our continent!
