The ladies who attended hailed from Ermelo, Middleburg, Piet Retief, Pongola, and Pretoria. A number of church bodies were represented at the seminar – St Peter’s Confessional Lutheran Church (CLC), the Lutheran Church of Southern Africa (LCSA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa (ELCSA), as well as the LTS community itself.

The LTS is grateful to Dcs. Rao for her selfless service and for her generous gifts of Lutheran Service Books, additions to the library inventory, and training materials.

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The library building extension and refurbishment was part of a multifaceted construction project which was accomplished over the space of more than three months in mid-2019. The groundbreaking for the extension took place in early June. The main project was the extension of the library building towards the north and south, with much-needed space being added to accommodate the seminary’s holdings of books and for a librarian’s desk for administrative purposes. In addition, the existing roof was sealed and painted, as were the exterior and interior walls, providing a serviceable and uniform appearance. Carpeting was laid and new shelves installed, with study desks being added to provide students with opportunity to research and write. The LTS library was recently equipped with new computers and electronic infrastructure to enable access to electronic books and journals as well.

All of this is in line with and in aid of the overall accreditation project at the LTS, with the academic program at the LTS being streamlined to comply with the standards administered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Such accreditation requires not only that the academic curriculum conform to the set standards, but that the library provides sufficient learning and assessment opportunities.

As it is, the infrastructure of the entire campus needs to comply with SAQA and CHE policies. As mentioned, the library expansion was part of a multifaceted project improving the LTS infrastructure. Improvements include the paving of large parts of the campus, revamping the main entryway, providing adequate seating on campus, upgrading electric wiring in the houses, and landscaping the areas around trees and flower beds. Future projects include the installation of additional signage, upgrading the interior of the LTS chapel, and purchasing needed books. We are grateful for the ongoing support the LTS receives and pray that it may continue to be a blessing to the Lutheran churches of Southern Africa through the training of confessional Lutheran pastors and church workers.

LTS Rector Dr. C. Walter Winterle observed the dedication of the revamped library and campus areas. Prof. em. Dr. Dr. Werner Klän, having presented a two-week set of intensive lectures on the Theology of the Book of Concord, officially represented our German sister church, the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK) at the dedication. Deaconess Grace Rao, hosting a women’s seminar at the LTS, was an official representative of the LCMS, our American sister church. In addition to the rector, Dr. Klän, Rev. Mbongeni John Nkambule, Mrs. Karin Niebuhr of the LTS Preschool/DayCare, Deaconess Rao, and LTS student representative Dumisani Mokobedi addressed the attendees at the dedication, giving thanks to the Lord God and speaking words of greeting and encouragement. After the dedication was performed, the new library was entrusted to the competent administration and oversight of LTS librarian Mintesinot Birru, originally of the Mekane Yesous Church in Ethiopia. Also in attendance at the dedication were numerous friends and supporters of the LTS.

Here follows a photo collage of the day’s events – in the knowledge that photos cannot do justice to the revamped campus. We invite all our friends and supporters to come to the LTS and to see the improvements for themselves! Thank you for your ongoing support! Please also continue to keep the LTS in your prayers.

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The LTS celebrated the graduation of its five deaconess students on November 22, 2018. After three years of study, by the Lord’s rich blessing, Deaconess students Patience Gbotoe from Liberia, Gugulethu Gladys Jiane and Portia Kabini from the outlying areas of Pretoria (South Africa), and Hope Kachochu and Martha Tembo from Zambia graduated as deaconess candidates, having successfully completed the requirements for the deaconess course.

The students were mentored and received thoroughgoing instruction throughout this time from Deaconess Grace Rao from the LCMS, who devoted a great deal of energy and resources to assisting these Lutheran ladies at LTS. The course of studies was augmented by courses presented by other visiting instructors from sister churches, especially the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the USA (LCMS) and the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK), as well as by full-time faculty members.

The graduation ceremony began with a festive procession from the deaconess residence to the chapel, attended by friends and family of the graduates cheering and praising the Lord in song and traditional dance for His goodness.

In his address, Rector Dr. C. Walter Winterle pointed the graduates to the faithfulness of God, directing them to remember His promises and to carry out their duties faithfully under the guidance of the Word of God and the direction of His Holy Spirit.

Following the deaconess graduation, individual students from each course were recognized for academic achievements throughout the year. The following awards were made:

Academic Skills

1. Best Grade in Class – Mokobotwane M Modiane
2. Most Improved – Franco M Lwamwe
3. “Good Fellow” – Younan Chady Khalid

Greek 210, 220, and Lectio Continua

1. Best grade in class – Desta Gebre Sinamo
2. Most improved – Eddy Kajonde Nakalala
3. “Good Fellow” – Lucky Simphiwe Miya

O.T. Isagogics

1. Best Grade in Class – Younan Chady Khalid
2. Most Improved – Karabo Maletswa
3. “Good Fellow” – Mokobotwane M Modiane

Church History II

1. Best grade in class – Peter Kizungu
2. Most improved – Gentil Magala
3. “Good Fellow” – Chernet Arifecho Fitebo

Church History IV

1. Best grade in class – Michael Mutonga
2. Most improved – Peter Kizungu
3. “Good Fellow” – Humphrey Asiimwe

World Religions

1. Best grade in class – Portia Kabini
2. Most improved – Portia Kabini
3. “Good Fellow” – Desta Sinamo Gebre

Pastoral Care

1. Best grade in class – Michael Mutonga
2. Most improved – Chernet Arifecho Fitebo
3. “Good Fellow” – Albert Payvah

Apology to the Augsburg Confession

1. Best grade in class – Portia Kabini
2. Most improved – Desta Sinamo Gebre
3. “Good Fellow” – Nkosikhona Mkhabela

Lutheran Catechesis

1. Best Grade in Class – Michael Mutonga
2. Most Improved – Nkosikhona Mkhabela
3. “Good Fellow” – Pierre Shukuru

Deaconess Course – Women of the Bible:

1. Best Grade in Class – Portia Kabini, Gugulethu Gladys Jiane, and Mekdes Aboye
2. Most Improved – Patience Gbotoe
3. “Good Fellow” – Martha Tembo

Deaconess Course on Law and Gospel

1. Best Grade in Class – Portia Kabini
2. Most Improved – Gugulethu Gladys Jiane
3. “Good Fellow” – Martha Tembo

The Augsburg Confession

1. Best Grade in Class – Lucky Simphiwe Miya
2. Most Improved – Younan Chady Khalid
3. “Good Fellow” – Mokobotwane M Modiane

Pastoral Counseling (Ministering to the Sick and Dying)

1. Best Grade in Class – Younan Chady Khalid
2. Most Improved – Gentil Magala
3. “Good Fellow” – Charles Ofentse Tsatsi

Homiletics I

1. Best Grade in Class – Albert Payvah
2. Most Improved – Asiimwe Humphrey
3. “Good Fellow” – Chernet Arifecho Fitebo

Lutheran Ethics

1. Best Grade in Class – Albert Payvah
2. Most Improved – Portia Kabini
3. “Good Fellow” – Karabo Maletswa

Church Polity and Administration

1. Best Grade in Class – Asiimwe Humphrey
2. Most Improved – Gentil Magala
3. “Good Fellow” – Chernet Arifecho Fitebo

Lutheran Dogmatics II

1. Best Grade in Class – Michael Mutonga
2. Most Improved – Nkosikhona Mkhabela
3. “Good Fellow” – Albert Payvah

At the conclusion of the divine service, Rector Winterle declared the Academic Year 2018 closed, giving thanks to the Lord God for granting the LTS the blessing of operating throughout the year and coming to a successful close, as well to as all supporters and benefactors of the LTS. The rector then thanked all instructors and prayed a restful vacation and traveling mercies upon the students as they return home for the Christmas recess.

The LTS is to open again for the new Academic Year on February 4, 2019, the Lord willing.

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From 10 to 19 September 2018, Deaconess Grace Rao (LCMS) taught a deaconess intensive at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane. Deaconess Rao is a frequent visitor to the LTS, and it was certainly a great privilege to welcome her back for this occasion. Deaconess students from outside the LTS institution also benefited from the course. Above, they can be seen receiving certificates of completion of the course.
As is her custom, Deaconess Rao graciously hosted the LTS students and community for a braai (barbecue). This time, a team of male students served food first to Deaconess Rao and her deaconess students and the guests, and then to the rest of the community.

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