Seminary Rector

Rev. Dr. Heinz A. Hiestermann

Dr. Hiestermann joined the faculty in 2020, specializing in New Testament Studies. He was appointed as seminary rector in 2021.

After completing his BCom degree in Business Management at the University of Pretoria (1999-2001), Dr. Hiestermann started his theological studies with a B.A. degree (2004-2006), again at the University of Pretoria. Thereafter he studied at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany (2007-2012), including some semesters at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the Goethe University Frankfurt. He completed his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies at the University of Pretoria (2016).

He served as pastor of the St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, Greytown, South Africa (2014-2019) (FELSISA). Since 2017 he serves as chairman of both the Theological and Examination Commissions of the FELSISA.

He and his wife, Renate, have two daughters.

Email him at hhiestermann(at)lts.ac.za.

Full-time Faculty

Mr. Mintesinot Birru Hanfato (Registrar)

Mr. Mintesinot Birru Hanfato graduated with B.Th. (1998-2002) from Mekane Yesus Seminary, and got his M.Div in 2009 from Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology. He served as a youth ministry leader, Synod youth ministry secretary, Synod Gospel and Mission department director, Bible translator, Comprehensive Project manager, Lecturer at different Bible schools and Colleges. He joined LTS coordinating distance education which was coming from Mekane Yesus Seminary and giving tutorials for distance education learners at LTS since 2015. He served as Librarian and Lecturer at LTS since 2018. In 2020, he registered with UNISA for his Ph.D. studies. In 2023, he was appointed seminary registrar.

Email him at mintesbir(at)gmail.com.

Dr. Sibongiseni Elliot Sithole

Translator of the isiZulu Bible with the Bible Society of South Africa; LCSA pastor; PhD Degree (Missiology), Concordia Theological Seminary, 2013 (Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA).

Dr Sithole was a part-time lecturer at LTS for many years. He joined the faculty on a full-time basis in 2024. He serves as Head of Department for Biblical Studies, as well as student support coordinator.

Part-time Lecturers

Rev. Musawenkosi Nathan Mntambo

Rev. Mntambo served on the faculty of the LTS from 2001 to 2015, and recently resumed lecturing at the LTS (2018-) on a part-time basis.

He graduated from Enhlanhleni Theological Seminary with a certificate in theology in 2000, following which he went on to graduate with a S.T.M. (Master of Sacred Theology) from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, USA.

He has served as pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, Arcadia, Pretoria (associated with FELSISA) since 2012. 

He and his wife, Nokulunga, have two children.

Email him at mntambomn(at)gmail.com.

Ds. Robert van Niekerk

Robert van Niekerk received his B.Th. (2013), his B.A. in Ancient Cultures and Biblical Languages (2014), and his M.Div. (2014) from the University of Pretoria. He has also received diplomas for church ministry and contextual ministry (2014). He teaches Greek and Hebrew at LTS.

Email him at robertniekerk(at)gmail.com

Rev. Kurt Schnackenberg

Rev. Kurt Schnackenberg (FELSISA) serves as part-time lecturer of LTS. He joined our teaching staff in 2021.

He studied theology in both South Africa and Germany. He teaches Christian Worship and Hermeneutics.

Email him at klschnacki(at)gmail.com

Dr. Christoph Weber

PhD Degree, Concordia Seminary, 2022 (St. Louis, MI, USA)

Dr. Weber teaches the Lutheran Confessions.

Adjunct lecturers

Rev. Tobias Ahlers

Rev. Ahlers has begun lecturing at the LTS in a part-time capacity since early 2018. His area of special interest is Lutheran systematics.

He received his B.A. in Ancient Languages from the University of Pretoria (2004), and then his B.A. Honours as well (2005). He pursued his theological studies at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany, and at Westfield House, Cambridge, UK, where he graduated in 2009.

He has served as pastor of the English Lutheran Fellowship in Randburg since 2011, and also at St. John’s Lutheran Congregation in Kempton Park since 2013. Since 2021 he is serving in the St. John’s Lutheran Parish, Shelly Beach (FELSISA).

He is married to Walda. They have two children.

Email him at pastortobyahlers(at)gmail.com.

Rev. Dr. Karl E. Böhmer

Dr. Böhmer served on the LTS faculty fulltime from 2015-2019, specializing in church history and mission. He received his B.A. in Ancient Languages from the University of Pretoria (1997), Theologische Zwischenprüfung from the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany (1998), and his M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, USA (2002). He completed his Ph.D. at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, USA (2015).

He is a member of the Church History Society of Southern Africa and of the South African Translator’s Institute.

International guest lecturers

Rev. Dr. John T. Pless

Professor at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, USA; for a more complete biography, click here.

Rev. Dr. (habil) Werner Klän

Professor and dean emeritus of the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany; Extraordinary Visiting Professor at the University of Pretoria

Support Staff

Mrs. Rosemarie Rynners

Office administrator

Email her at LTSinTshwane(at)gmail.com.

Mr. Gustav Paul

Operations Manager

Mr. Aaron Mthimunye

Groundsman, facilities

Mrs. Emily Ngubeni

Kitchen supervisor, caretaker

Mrs. Martha Mahlangu

Office assistant, Cook, cleaning person