Cape Town – Stellenbosch University has mourned the passing of Professor Mary-Anne Plaatjies-Van Huffel.
Plaatjies-Van Huffel, the first black woman to be promoted to full professor at the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University, died yesterday following complications after surgery.
Paying tribute to the professor in Ecclesiology, Professor Reggie Nel, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, said: "Prof Plaatjies-van Huffel played a remarkable and pioneering role in the church landscape in South Africa, our continent and internationally.
"She was the first woman to be ordained in the former Dutch Reformed Mission Church, which became the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, and later she was also elected as the first woman moderator of its General Synod.
"While she has been a staunch activist for causes like black theology, woman's rights and transformation on many levels, and has represented our continent in prominent positions including in the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Council of Churches, she has also been a passionate church historian, church law expert and pedagogue.
"Her career at the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University commenced fairly recently, but she made an indelible impression in her field, and in the hearts and minds of her colleagues and students.
"She was the first black woman to be promoted to full professor at the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University and this remarkable achievement would have been recognised at her inaugural lecture as professor in Ecclesiology later this year.
"We recognise her many remarkable talents, achievements and contributions, but above all we remember her for her indomitable courage, her lovely person and her kind heart.
"We mourn her passing with her husband, Reverend Dawid van Huffel, her family and friends, our faculty community and the wider church community."
Stellenbosch University Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers said: "It's sad news. Prof Plaatjies-Van Huffel was a valued colleague, renowned expert and a pioneer. We're going to miss her. Our deepest condolences to her family and colleagues."