Dr Simangaliso R.
Kumalo
BTH (UN), BTH HONS (UN) MTH (UNISA), PHD (UKZN)
Director: Research and Postgraduate
Studies
School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Private Bag X01, Scottsville,
3201 South Africa.
Tel: +27 (0) 33 260 5850
Fax: +27 (0) 33 260 5858
E-mail: [email protected]
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications
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PhD
University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in Theology and Development. Thesis: Education for Social
Transformation in South Africa: A Methodist Approach. 2005
Masters
University of South Africa, South Africa. Majored in Urban Mission and Development. The Dissertation was:
Mission in Communities of the Poor, the Case of Ivory Park Methodist Church, and Midrand. 2001
Bachelor of Theology Honours
University of Natal, South Africa. Theology and Development. 1998
Bachelor of Theology
University of Natal, South Africa. Majored in Practical Theology, Systematic Theology. 1997
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
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Academic Leader, School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics University of KwaZulu-Natal from January 2012
Acting Head of the School of Religion Philosophy and Classics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg,
South Africa, from February 2010 -December 2011
Director
Ujamaa Centre for Community Development and Research, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South
Africa from January 2012-present
Deputy-Director
Ujamaa Centre for Community Development and Research, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South
Africa, January 2008-December 2010.
Academic Coordinator: Ministerial Studies
School of Religion and Theology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 2009 to 2011
Senior Lecturer
School of Religion and Theology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 2007
Lecturer/Director or the Religion and Governance Programme
School of Theology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, January 2003 to present
Lecturer
School of Theology, the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, July 2002
Part-time Lecturer in theological studies
John Wesley College, Soweto Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa, January 1999- to June 2002
Resident Pastor
Ivory Park Methodist Church, Midrand, South Africa, January 1998- July 2002
Researcher on Theology in South Africa
The Institute of the Study of the Bible in Southern Africa, which is housed in the School of Theology at the
University of Natal, 1995- 1997 (when I was a B.Th. student)
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
AWARDS
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Won of 2010 University of KwaZulu Natal top 30 researcher
Won Mellon Foundation Award for best emerging research
Won of 2003 a Scholarship to Duke University
Won the E. Flowerdale Memorial Award for probationer who made best progress in his years of probation
Listed by the Mail & Guardian 2000 amongst the top 100 people who have made their marks in their fields
MEMBERSHIP OF ADVISORY PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEES
2000-Listed by the Mail & Guardian amongst the top 100 people who have made their marks in SA
2002-Member of the Board of Directors of the ISB-Worker Ministry
2003 -Member of the Board of Directors, Built Environment Support Group
2003-Publicity officer of the School of Theology
2003-Co-coordinator Theology and Democracy training programme
2004 -Member of the board of the Institute for Urban Ministry
2004-Chairperson of the School Governing Body Russell High School
2006-Member of the Board of Governors, Epworth High School
2006-Council member of the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA)
2008 -Member of Board of Directors International Institute for Development and Ethics (IIDE)
2009 -Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Practical Theology in South Africa
2010 -Chairperson of the Maurice Webb Trust
2011 -Member of the Editorial Team of the Critical Investigation in Humanitarianism in Africa Blog.
2012 -Regional Deputy President of the World Methodist Historical Society.
2013 -Chairperson of the Indaleni Mission Institution’s Alumni Project
2013 -Member of the Steering Committee of the Research Project on Religion as Social Capital
AUTHORSHIP OF BOOKS
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2012 Kumalo, S. 2012. Pastor and Politician: Essays on the Legacy of JL Dube, the First President of the
African National Congress. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications
2009 Kumalo, S. 2009. Methodists with a white history and a Black Future. Johannesburg: Upper Rooms.
2003. Kumalo, S. 2003. From Deserts to Forests: A Model of Practical Theology Pretoria: CB Powell.
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
EDITORSHIP OF BOOK
Kumalo, S. (ED). 2013. Religion and Politics in Swaziland: The Contributions of JB Mzizi to religion, culture and
Politics. Bloemfontein: SUN PRESS.
REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES
2013-Kumalo, RS. Facts and fictions in the development of Church and state relations in the South Africa from 1994-2012.
Journal of Church and State (Online)
2013-Kumalo, RS. Meet the Cowboy turned renegade missionary: William Cullen Wilcox. Studia Historiae Ecclessiascae
August.2013.Vol. XXX1X.337-352.
2012 -Kumalo, RS. US and Them in the one and undivided Church. Journal of Gender and Religion. Journal of Gender and
Religion
2012-Kumalo, S. & Richardson, N. Seth Mokimi and education for ministry: What’s in a name?
vol 38 No 2 August 2010 259-274
Missionalia
2011-Kumalo RS. Mission is Money and Money is Mission: Methodist Ecclesiology in South Africa, 1872-2004. Studia
Historiae Ecclessiascae
2009-Kumalo, R. The People Shall Govern. Scriptura Vol. 101 (2009:2), 246-258.
2009-Kumalo, R. S. Teaching in Community with Others: A Transformation-Centered Approach to CE. Journal of
Constructive Theology. Vol 14.2, 15.1 2008/2009.
2009-Kumalo, R.S. Faith and Politics: The Legacy of Inkosi Albert Luthuli. Studia Historae Ecclesiasticae, vol xxxv.
No 1. May 2009 199-221
2009-Kumalo, R. S. Commemoration of Martyrs of the Struggle as Contested Terrain in a Democratic South Africa: The
Case of Inkosi Albert Luthuli. Journal of theology for Southern Africa. 135, November 2009, 42-55.
2009-Kumalo RS. Religion in Post-Polokwane Politics: Mvume Dandala and the Congress of the People (COPE). Theologia
Viatorum: Journal of Theology and Religion in Africa. Vol 33 No 3. December 2009. 349-383.
2009-Kumalo, S. “An oasis in a desert of segregation”: factors that led to the rise and decline of the Edendale Lay
Ecumenical Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Studia Historae Ecclesiasticae, vol 35. December 2009, 37-65.
2009-Kumalo, R.S. Faith and Politics: The Legacy of Inkosi Albert Luthuli. Studia Historae Ecclesiasticae, vol xxxv. No 1. May
2009 199-221
2009-Kumalo, R. S. Commemoration of Martyrs of the Struggle as Contested Terrain in a Democratic South Africa: The
Case of Inkosi Albert Luthuli. Journal of theology for Southern Africa. 135, November 2009, 42-55.
2009-Kumalo, R. S. Teaching in Community with Others: A Transformation-Centered Approach to CE. Journal of
Constructive Theology. Vol 14.2, 15.1 2008/2009.
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
2008-Kumalo, R.S. Doing Prophetic Theology between God and the Monarchy in
B. Mzizi. Missionalia, vol 36 No 2/3 Aug/Nov 2008. 280-298.
Swaziland: the Legacy of Joshua
2008-Kumalo, RS.Transforming Methodism in South Africa: The Journey to the New Land Programme. Missionalia.
February 249-266.
2008-Kumalo, Simangaliso. John Langalibalele Dube and the Struggle for the Freedom of Religion. Missionalia, August
2008.
2008-Kumalo, Simangaliso. Transforming Methodism in South Africa, The Journey to the New Land Programme.
Missionalia February, 2008
2007-Kumalo, Simangaliso. Teaching to Transform: Towards a Model of Transformation Centered Christian Education.
Journal of Practical Theology, March 2007.
2006-Kumalo RS. The Palace, the Parish and the Power: Church-state relations in Rwanda and the genocide 211-233.
2006-Kumalo, Simangaliso. Methodism in SA: The Teaching Ministry of five Native Agents, Studia Historae, Ecclesiasticae.
Vol xxx11, no 2, 2006, 1-19.
2006-Kumalo, Simangaliso. Methodism in SA: The Teaching Ministry of five Native Agents, Studia Historae, Ecclesiasticae.
Vol xxx11, no 2, 2006, 1-19.
2005-Kumalo, Simangaliso. Doing Christian Education at the edges in South Africa: A Review of the work of Bongani
Mazibuko as a Christian Educator and Missiologist. Studia Historae Ecclessiasticae vol xxx1, no 2 October 2005 105-127
2005-Kumalo, Simangaliso. Southern African Sources for an Authentic CE for Social transformation, JTSA122, 2005, 59-75
2005-Kumalo, Simangaliso. Prophetic Christianity in Africa in the Context of Globalization, Missionalia, 34, 2005
CHAPTERS IN BOOKS
2012 Kumalo, Simangaliso, Doin Theology in Rhythm with Africa: Steve de Gruchy’s Theology of Development. In
Cochrane, 2012. Living on the Edge: The Legacy of Steve de Gruchy. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications.
2012 Kumalo, RS. The Bible in and through Mission and Mission in the Bible in in Postcolonial Africa. In Emma-Wild-Wood
& Peniel Rajkumar (ed). Foundations for Mission. (Oxford: Regnum, 2012), 96-110.
2012 Kumalo, RS. The Impact of Global Religious Transformation on Social Cohesion and Social Development in Cultural
Contexts with Specific Reference to the South African Context. University of Humboldt, Berlin.
2012 Kumalo, S. Church and state in South Africa after apartheid in Daniel P. (Ed) 2010. Cambridge Dictionary.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 238.
2009 Kumalo, S. Commemoration of Martyrs of the Struggle as Contested Terrain. In Gardzelidze, T & Guiddo, D. (ed) 2009.
A Cloud of Witnesses. Geneva: WCC Publications (106-117).
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
2009 AB Xuma and the Politics of Racial Accommodation versus Equal Citizenship and its Implications for Nation-building
and Power-sharing in South Africa. In Du Toit, C.2009. Power sharing and Citizenship in South Africa. Pretoria: UNISA
Press. 139-161.
2008 Kumalo, Simangaliso The price to pay for democracy in From Our Side: [Ed,) Steve de Gruchy, Sietse Stribos, Nico
Koopman. 171-188
2003 Kumalo, Simangaliso. Church Planting: A Tool for Rebuilding Our Communities in De Beer, S. (Ed) The Hidden
Treasure: Rebuilding our Communities in the name of Jesus. Pretoria: Institute for Urban Ministries. Cape Town: Salt
Print
2002 Kumalo, Simangaliso Church Planting in informal settlements as vehicles for community development. In Millard, J.
2002 Ministry in informal settlements and elsewhere [Ed.] Millard Joan. Desktop Publication. 3-19.
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES IN JOURNALS
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Mkasi M. A Threat to Zulu Patriarchy and the Continuation of Community”: Traditional Healing As sacred Safe
Space for female sangomas in Same Sex Relationships. Journal of Gender and Religion in Africa. January 2013.
RESEARCH INITIATIVES AND REPORTS
2008 -Principal researcher for on Religious Communities and Organization in the UMgungundlovu and EThekwini
Municipalities. Sanctioned and sponsored by the Office of the Premier.
2007-Participated as researcher for the project on Pioneers of the African Renaissance. Sanctioned and sponsored by
the Office of the Premier
2006-Principal researcher on the life legacy of UNtsikana ka Gaba”. Project was sanctioned and sponsored by the
National Departments of Arts and Culture.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS- MAGAZINES
2008-Kumalo, Simangaliso “Theology has to be put into practice for it to make a difference. Southern Anglican
Cross….
2007-Kumalo, Simangaliso The Church has to put its house in order then talk Good Governance. Southern Anglican
Cross June 2008 25-30.
2000-Kumalo, Simangaliso Mission in Transition: Partnerships in Mission 2000, Interpreter Magazine, USA
PUBLICATIONS- MAGAZINES
2008-Kumalo, Simangaliso “Theology has to be put into practice for it to make a difference. Southern Anglican Cross
October 2008, 52-53.
2007-Kumalo, Simangaliso the Church has to put its house then talk Good Governance. Southern Anglican Cross
June 2008 25-30
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
NEWSPAPERS
2012- Kumalo, RS. He worked for the pursuit of happiness for all : Remembering the Rev Dr KEM Mgojo
Natal Witness 04 April 1932 d. 02 September 2012
2011-Kumalo, RS. The legacy of Charlotte Maxeke. UKZNINDABA. Vol 8. No 8, August 2011, p6.
2011-Kumalo, RS. What would the father of the ANC say about Africa Today? The Witness,Sept 30, 2011, p9.
2011-Kumalo, RS. Tutu: Saint or Sinner. Daily News 11 October 2011, p9.
2011-Kumalo, RS Returned to Memory. The life and legacy of Nokutela Dube. The Witness July 18, 2011, p9
2011-Kumalo RS. Religion is no pie in the sky. Daily news 28 June 2011, p8.
2011-Kumalo, RS. The Role of the Church in the 21st Century: Towards an Afro-centric Church. SA Outlook. Special
Edition 11.3/11.4, 2010, 19-22.
RECOGNITION FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS
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Invited by Drake University, US to give lectures on religion and citizenship in South Africa. November 17-21
In 2012, I was part of a team that designed a Masters Programme in Gender, Health and Religion between the
University of KwaZulu Natal, Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology and Makumira University in Tanzania
In 2011 I was part of a team that designed a Programme for International Graduate Programme on Religion and
Culture Exchange that is offered by the University of Stellenbosch and Humboldt University in German.
In 2011 I was part of a team that designed a Programme Programme for PhD Seminars between The University
of Oslo, Union Theological Seminary and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
In 2010 I was part of a team that negotiated and facilitated the partnership between Emory University and the
University of KwaZulu-Natal.
In 2009, I was part of a team that designed an Exchange Programme for Masters Students between University
of Oslo and University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Since 2006 I have been external examiner for the University of Stellenbosch, Zululand and UNISA. In 2004 and
2008 was external examiner for the College of the Transfiguration, Grahamstown.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
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I have also continued facilitating the JLDube Annual Memorial Lectures which I founded 9 years ago. This lecture has
become a very important annual event for the university through which experts on social, political and religious issues
are brought to the university to share their insights or research and generate discussion. This lecture has become a
university one and the only one which is jointly owned by two schools as it is owned by the School of Religion,
Philosophy and Classics and the School of Education. It has facilitated collaboration and intellectual discussions
between the two schools. Through this project we have been able to market the work of the university to leaders. For
instance in 2012 the Lecture was delivered by the Minister of Arts and Culture Mr. Paul Mashatile. (See appendix)
I have continued my work as the Director of the Ujamaa Centre for Community Development and Research which is a
Centre of the University. The Ujamaa Centre facilitates field-research for theology students especially those focusing
on Biblical Studies. My responsibility as the director has been to promote the vision of the Centre, interact with funders
and to manage its. Daily operations.
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
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January 2010, I founded Brentwood Pre-school in Tumbleweed, Howick for poor and vulnerable most of who are
orphaned as a result of HIV&AIDS. Currently the pre-school has a total number of 92 children and are served by a staff
of 5 people. The aim is to provide pre-school education in a safe and caring environment. This project has also become
a service-learning centre for University students who would like to do field work and action-research work. We make
sure that research ethics guidelines are adhered to strictly whilst at the sometime allowing the students to benefit by
implementing their theory in a real practical situation.
In 2010 I was appointed chairperson of the Maurice Webb Trust which supports projects that do research and
development work on issues on race relations in South Africa. Through my involvement in this Trust we have been able
to fund research projects in the School of Social Sciences, the Maurice Webb Unit, and the Centre for Critical Justice
and the Ujamaa Centre. All these are centres of the university and they have benefitted through my leadership at
Maurice Webb Trust. So I have indirectly contributed to the bringing of third-stream funds to the university through
my involvement in community organizations.
February 14, 2010- was invited as a speaker at various governmental and NGO events organized to celebrate freedom,
democracy and Human Rights. Made presentations at the Office of the Premier, Pietermaritzburg, UMgungundlovu
District Municipality, and Interdenominational Ministers Association of South Africa (IDAMASA).
January14, 2010-eas invited to conduct training sessions on Theological Education, Church and Politics and Ministerial
Formation for the Methodist Church of Southern Africa’s interns.
December 10, 2009-was invited as guest speaker by the Swaziland Council of Churches at the International Human
Rights celebrations in Manzini Swaziland
July 26, 2009-was invited to be the guest speaker at the National Conference of the Black Methodist Consultation.
“Religious Leaders in the shaping of Public Policy.”
26-29 May 2009- was invited as guest speaker at the Grahamstown Synod of the Methodist Church and was asked to
speak on the Prophetic Ministry of the Church in post-apartheid South Africa.
May 13-15, 2009 was invited as guest- speaker at Natal West District Synod of the Methodist Church. Delivered a
presentation called: “The Interface between Faith and Democracy.
March 13, 2009- was panellist at UKHOZI FM on the topic Clergy and Party Politics in South Africa.
22 April 2007 was panellist on the news radio-station, SAFM on the topic of The Journal of Theology for Southern Africa.
2003- To date have continued with my work in the Religion and Governance, organized and facilitated 4, one-week
seminars per year, on Theology and Democracy. Over 1250 students, community and religious leaders including
women and youth from the province of KZN, South Africa and SADCC region have been trained through seminars
over the years.
2004- To date have organized and facilitated 9 John Dube Annual Memorial Lectures in the past 10 years as part of the
Religion and Governance Programme. The following dignitaries have been our guest speakers, Musa Zondi MP, Rd.
Wesley Mabuza Chairperson of the Commission Multi-cultural and Multi-religion. Inkosi Mpiyezintombi Mzimela
President of the House of Traditional Leaders, Bishop Lunga Sibotho Bishop of the Ethiopian Church of Southern
Africa, Mrs Zanele Hlatshwayo Mayor of UMgungundlovu District Municipality and Mike Muendane former MP and
Independent Consultant on Pan Africanism, Dr Mvume Dandala former MP and President of Seth Mokitimi
Methodist Seminary, Prof Itumeleng Mosala, Prof Cherif Keita (Carlton College US) and Mr. Paul Mashatile, Minister
of Arts and Culture. The lecture is located at the School of Religion and Theology at the Pietermaritzburg Campus.
2005- To date I have been a regular guest on UKHOZIFM, (SABC Radio Zulu), radio metro, TV1KZN, SAfm etc. as a scholar
in the field of politics and human rights, ranging in topics from the, children’s bill, politics and religion, culture and
religion.
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
PAPERS PRESENTED AT CONFERENCES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS
My work has been recognized by my peers-both local and international. This has led to me being invited to deliver lectures in
institutions both local and overseas. The following table is of the presentation I have made in different parts of the world as a
response to invitations by my peers in the field of theology and social transformation.
Date of conference
Place
Society
17 October 2011
University of Oslo
23 October 2011
University of Oslo,
Norway
Mozambique
24 February 2011
Pretoria
International
Conference for Youth
Pastors
2010
Humboldt University,
Berlin
Practical Theology
2010
Atlanta, US
American Academy
of Religions
February
23-26 June
Bossey Switzerland
University of
Stellenbosch
Edinburgh 2010
Joint Theological
Conference for SA
30 July- 3 August 2009
Catholic Theological
Union Seminary Chicago
International
Association of
Practical theologians
2010
University of Oslo
2011 November
Humboldt University
200 years celebration
since the founding of
the University of
Oslo
Conference on the
Impact of
UCCSA
Title of Presentation
Religion and Violence in
Africa.
Drinking from our own
wells.
Speaking to the World:
Articulating the Voice of
the Local Theologian in a
Global Context. Plenary
Address
The Impact of Global
Transformations on Social
Cohesion and Social
Development in
different contexts with
Specific Reference to
South Africa.
Steve de Gruchy: An
Interpretation of some
main Themes in his work
on Theology and
Development
CBS Mission
Theological education
in the Edendale Lay
Ecumenical Centre
Church and
Democracy in SA
Religion and Violence
in a Pluralistic Society
Religion and
Globalization in other
contexts
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
Globalization and
Religion.
Research on Science
and Religion
2012 November
Humboldt University
2012 December 5
University of
California-Irvine
CIIHA Blog
Conference
July 2012
Akrofi-Kristaller
Institute-Ghana,
Accra
Graduate Seminar
September 2012
Wittenberg, Germany
Societus Homiletica
Conference
May 2013
Humboldt University,
Germany
Guest Lecturer for
Summer School
The Role of the
Church in the
Promotion of Human
Rights in South Africa
Humanitarian AID and
Asset or Liability for
Africa’s Development:
Perspectives from
Africa.
Asset or Liability: The
role of religion in the
development of
democracy in South
Africa.
Who is Preaching, the
Preacher or the
Liturgy: A response to
Bishop Mondeus’s?
Religion and Ethics in
a Globalized World
SABBATICAL LEAVE
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January 2009 I was on Sabbatical Leave and spent some time at Humboldt University, Germany where gave some
lectures. I also wrote a paper which was published in a book as a chapter.
Then I visited Drake University in Iowa, US where I gave some lectures as a visiting scholar.
VISITING LECTURER
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Drake University, US 16-23 October 2013
Humboldt University, Germany October 2012
University of Oslo July 2010
University of Swaziland December 2007
BOOKS IN PROGRESS
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The Spirit of Freedom – an investigation of the spiritualties of the twelve leaders of the African National Congress
(ANC) and how it has impacted on the policies of church and state relations in South Africa.
Drinking from our African wells : Methodist organizations as sources of faith
Dr Simangaliso R. Kumalo
SUPERVISION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
Students who have graduated
PhD
Herbert Moyo