The Research Institute for Theology and Religion was founded in 1975, and therefore celebrates its 50th year in 2025. The RITR aims to provide cutting edge research which is relevant, contextual and speaks to the lived experiences of communities across Africa. The main research foci of the RITR include:

• African Traditional Beliefs and Cultural Practices
• Womanist, Feminist and Bosadi Theorisations
• Science and Religion

Vision

To be a centre of excellence by:

• Doing cutting edge research of international standard
• Doing research that impacts on the South African and African context
• Maintaining a high level of academic output
• Involving national and international scholars in its research
• Making research available to society at large
• Being involved in community engagement
• Promoting a research culture at the University of South Africa

Core business of the Institute

Research is our core business. Through research we aim to remain a leader in our field of specialisation by:

• Establishing of a cooperative culture of free exchange of research information
• Conducting research in Theology and Religion that is socially relevant and internationally recognised.
• Participating in interdisciplinary research on an international level.
• Contributing through our activities to more tolerance and inclusivity in a pluralistic society.
• Soliciting funding to launch new projects and to empower researchers.
• Drawing scholars globally as partners.
• Involving scholars from all races in contextual research.
• Being involved in community service through disseminating the results of theological research to a variety of communities.
• Making it possible for religions to make themselves known in a country with religious pluralism.
• Training and guiding masters’ and doctoral students to successfully complete their studies