Thanksgiving for 25 years!

On 5 March 1994, the first meeting of Mukhanyo’s Board of Control took place. Lectures started in July of the same year. It is now 25 years later, so on 11 May we celebrated with thanksgiving to our great God and Father. We thanked the Lord who made it possible for His Word to be taught by Mukhanyo to many hundreds of students, today not only in KwaMhlanga but also in many other places across South Africa and beyond.

The thanksgiving started with a devotion by Dr P.J. (Flip) Buys, the retired former principal of Mukhanyo. Referring to Romans 8 and Isaiah 11, he pointed out the importance of training for the ministry. Today, while Christian churches are planted by the hundreds in Africa, the shortage of trained ministers who know the Bible is enormous. It is estimated that 95% of all church leaders do not have knowledge of the Bible. Yet we know that a man of God may be competent and equipped for every good work only through training in righteousness (1 Tim 3:16-17). The gospel of the kingdom has to be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations (Matt 24:14).

The annual report was presented by the present principal, Dr Brian De Vries, who highlighted a number of features (see the “highlights” below). Rev Isaac Maleke, Dean of Students, told the meeting about various efforts to mentor students. Dr Japie Malan, Dean of Academics, underlined the importance of learning to know the Bible and equipping students to handle the challenges of the ministry which they will face one day. Mr Jan de Beer reported on Mukhanyo’s finances: Total expenses grew from R1.9 million in 2008 to R8.7 million in 2018 with local income continuously growing, now at more than 50% of the total –healthy trends indeed.

Gratitude was especially celebrated with a number of short speeches by many alumni, former lecturers and community leaders – these speakers all informed the 100 people present with some anecdotes and interesting experiences from past years. The emphasis of all of them was the high regard they had for Mukhanyo and its work over the years, and how God has used Mukhanyo to prepare and equip them to spread the Gospel.

After a delicious lunch, the more formal annual general meeting (AGM) of member churches took place. To everybody’s satisfaction, it was short and sweet, led efficiently by the chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr Lusani Netshitomboni.

It was an eventful day, especially because it once again proved that our trust in God is never in vain. He has made it all possible, and He used many of His servants as His instruments in this ministry.  The meeting was unanimous in praying that God will provide and bless Mukhanyo for at least the next 25 years.

Some highlights from the
​annual report  ​

Mukhanyo’s annual report for 2018 was ready a few days before the annual general meeting. The full report can be requested from Wynie Malan,  office.mukhanyo@gmail.com. Some of the highlights are as follows:

• The number of students keeps growing and is now above 900 (mainly in theology, but also some facilitated teacher students). The number of academically strong students is reported to be increasing.
• The team of gifted and godly lecturers is also growing. Mukhanyo now has a staff of 36 as well as a number of part-timers. Plans are in place to further improve teaching quality and assessment procedures.
• In the past year the facilities in Johannesburg and Pretoria were renovated. The three libraries doubled and contain more than 20 000 titles. The improved facilities at the three main locations provide much potential for further growth.
• The newly accredited BTh degree with a better design, was implemented, while the BTh Hons was also accredited and now has started training post-graduate students.
• The new Focus programme, a church-based practical and accessible training course, is also making good progress and the first number of modules are taught.
• The process to build strong relationships with local churches in KwaMhlanga and Johannesburg – and in many other areas across southern Africa – is making good progress.
• The annual bursaries made available to theology students keeps on increasing – in 2018 R621 000 was made available, and over R750 000 has been given in 2019 for this purpose.
• Total income of Mukhanyo reached R8,7 million in 2018, compared to R7,7 million in 2017.  More than a third of the income came from student fees.  Total income from South African sources (non-international donations) remains steady above 50% for the past 5 years.

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