In recent months, several intensive courses have been completed at Mukhanyo Theological College, offering students valuable learning experiences. We reached out to students to share their thoughts and experiences.
BAL1 Academic Literacy Intensive July 2024
“It was quite a daunting task for me to do a whole course over five days, especially when I had never done it before, but what a fantastic experience. We were a great mix of returning students and a handful of new students, and when you put a group like that together every day for five days, you really grow close to each other. We supported one another with encouraging words through the written assignments and the class presentations and made amazing friendships. The learning environment of the Pretoria campus also made the week a pleasurable experience. Finally, I think my fellow students will agree with me when I commend our lecturer for her professional handling of the material, her ability to keep us engaged, and her wonderfully encouraging demeanour and wise words. It was a rewarding academic exercise I would definitely do again.”
— Jacques Blignaut
BOT4 Intensive Class Experience
“We had a wonderful experience in the BOT4 intensive class. It was a full room with students from the Joburg and Pretoria campuses. Our lecturer, Dr Simango, was fantastic. We enjoyed his style of teaching and the way he engages students in class. From my personal experience, Dr Simango was an example. During breaks, he would be with us outside, eating his lunch and sharing some normal experiences of life. In class, he was a teacher and yet a father. We have grown in the way we handle wisdom literature. We now know what the Song of Solomon means and the lessons in it along with the rest of the wisdom literature. We even wished he could be part of our wonderful Mukhanyo lecturers.”
— Thomas Mamba
Research Methodology Intensive Course: July
“My experience in the intensive research methodology module in July was truly valuable. This challenging course was a powerful tool for sharpening my mind and identifying theological gaps and approaches. It combined intense scholarly thinking with a focus on research principles, allowing us to explore both historical and contemporary theological works. The journey was tough but worthwhile. Our lecturer engaged every student and significantly improved my theological writing skills, providing me with the tools to study more effectively and contribute both theologically and academically. Although I had mixed feelings about the module at first, the daily assignments and the lecturer’s guidance made it an enriching experience. Despite its intensity, the course instilled a strong research spirit in me, preparing me for further studies and enhancing my ability to engage with scripture and pastoral service. If every theological student experiences such a module, we can make a meaningful impact on our communities and continent.”
— Morelife Mugadza
BOT4 Intensive Course Testimony
“The lessons on Wisdom Literature in the BOT4 intensive course have been very helpful. I have personally benefitted from this module because it resolved the tensions that exist within Wisdom Literature. For example, Proverbs suggests that good conduct leads to blessings, while Job addresses the issue of a righteous man who suffers instead of being blessed, and Ecclesiastes considers everything as futile. The module provided solutions to these tensions and also taught me how to conduct exegesis on Wisdom Literature.”
— Dankie Sindane
