Biography

Charlize Hermans is a passionate MA History student with a keen interest in delving into the intricacies of South African history. Her academic pursuits are fueled by a desire to uncover narratives often overlooked, focusing on South African institutional histories to understand societal transformations. With a commitment to rigorous research and critical analysis, Charlize aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the country’s past and its implications for the present. Eager to engage with complex historical frameworks, she embodies a dedication to scholarly inquiry and social relevance.

Current Research Project

Theology 150 & Beyond: A Socio-Political History of Stellenbosch University’s Theology Faculty c. 1963-2023
Stellenbosch University’s Theology faculty was established in 1963 after the incorporation of Stellenbosch Dutch Reformed seminary into the university. Established during the apartheid era, the faculty aimed to produce socio-politically relevant knowledge aligned with Calvinist Christian practices and beliefs. Simultaneously, the university was regarded as the vanguard of Afrikaner intellectualism, which influenced the knowledge being produced by the faculty. In this paper the interplays between Dutch Reformed theology, the institution, and knowledge production relating to South Africa’s changing socio-political landscape is scrutinised. This is done to evaluate the changing relationship between Dutch Reformed theology and apartheid at Stellenbosch University’s Theology faculty, over time. The narrative within the project unfolds against the backdrop of significant events in South Africa’s history and scrutinises the faculty’s role in shaping ideas relating to Afrikaner identity. Through the usage of archival sources and interviews, this project evaluates how religiously motivated thought was utilised to promote apartheid rhetoric, while evaluating if reflection and reckoning has taken place during the age of democracy.

Supervisor(s): Dr Anell Daries, Dr Wilhelm Verwoerd and Dr Justin Pearce

Email: 27696324@sun.ac.za