Research Institute for Theology and Religion

Dr LW Naicker

College of Human Sciences
Department: Research
Research Institute for Theology and Religion
Researcher
Tel: 0124294369
E-mail: naicklw@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD (University of the Western Cape)
  • MTh (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
  • BTh (Hons) (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
  • BTh (University of KwaZulu-Natal)

Fields of academic interests

  • Feminist/Womanist/Bosadi Theorizations
  • Church History
  • Theology and Development
  • Critical Race Theory

 

Field of Specialisation

  • Gender and Religion and Church History

Books

  • Baloyi, E, Molobi, VE and Naicker, L. 2023. “Introduction” in (eds) Baloyi, Molobi, Naicker. Religion, Marriage, Sexualities, Culture and Family Dynamics. Cluster Publications.
  • "Towards healing our broken food system: A social and theological response to food insecurity in South Africa,” 2022. in M. Christian Green, Faith Kabata and Fortune Sibanda, eds., Law, Religion, Health and Healing in Africa (Stellenbosch: African Sun Media).
  • “Sexuality, marriage and singleness among Indian Pentecostal Women in South Africa” 2020. In. Gender, sexualities and spiritualties in African Pentecostalism (ed) C, Kaunda. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • “Racism in African Christianity” 2016.  In Anthology of African Christianity, (eds) I, Phiri, C, Kaunda, K, Owino. Regnum.

Journal articles

  • Vengesai, P. and Naicker, L. 2023. ‘Zimbabwean women’s experiences at Johanne Masowe WeChishanu Apostolic churches’ open ground gatherings’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 79(3). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.
  • Naicker, L, and Molobi, V. “A Socially-Engaged Theological Response to the Historic and Structural Nature of Food Insecurity in South Africa”. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, 48(1). 2022.
  • “Sisters in Solidarity: resistance and agency through urban community food gardens in Pietermaritzburg” African Journal of Gender and Religion, 27(1). 2021.
  • “The journey of South African women academics with a particular focus on women academics in theological education” Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae. 2013.
  • “The Role of Eugenics and Religion in the Construction of Race in South Africa” Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, XXXVIII 2. 2012

Paper presentations

  • The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa – Thursdays in Black Campaign. Smash the Patriarchy, 9 September 2021.
  • The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa – The Feminization of Poverty, Food Insecurity and Survival. 17, 24 February 2022, 3, 10, 17 March 2022.
  • Workshop hosted by the Consuming Urban Poverty Project at the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Cities. This highly informative workshop was focused on examining South Africa’s food system. Presented a paper entitled, Food Insecurity and Survival Sex in Sub Saharan Africa.
  • Writing and publishing workshop: Black Women in Theological Education in Africa University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch.
  • Joint Theological Conference, University of KwaZulu-Natal, presented a paper: The DRC and interracial marriage, 2012.
  • Annual Church History Society of Southern Africa Conference, presented a paper: Pentecostal/Charismatic type churches, with particular reference to the International Federation of Christian Churches: Ecumenical or non – ecumenical? University of Potchefstroom, South Africa, 2010.
  • Contextual Bible Study Workshop, “The Rape of Tamar, 2nd Samuel 13: 1–22”, Christian Believers Fellowship, Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 2009.
  • Contextual Bible Study workshop, “The Rape of Tamar, 2nd Samuel 13: 1-22”, Maritzburg Christian Church, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. 2009.
  • Contextual Bible Study workshop, “The Rape of Tamar, 2nd Samuel 13: 1 – 22”, Entabeni Community Centre, Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 2008.
  • African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies Conference, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, presented a paper: The Nexus between Gender Justice and Reconciliation, Ecclesial Enculturation, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 13-17 May 2023.
  • African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies Conference, Nairobi Kenya, presented a paper: Towards Healing our Broken Food System: A Socially Engaged Theological Response to the COVID- 19 Pandemic in South Africa. 15-18 May 2022.
  • Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians 5th Pan African Conference: University of Botswana, Gaborone, presented a paper, Sisters in Solidarity: resistance and agency through urban community food gardens in Pietermaritzburg, 1st to 6th July 2019.
  • Oxford Round-table Conference on Education, University of Oxford, England, 2013. Delivered a paper: Black Women in Higher Education: Token Appointments?
  • All-Africa Conference of Churches 3rd Theological Institute presented a paper: A gendered perspective on peace, justice and dignity, Nairobi, Kenya. 2010.
  • All-Africa Conference of Churches 2nd Theological Institute, Nairobi, Kenya, presented a paper, The role of Woman in the Church, 2009.
  • All Africa Conference of Churches 1st Theological Institute, Maputo, Mozambique, 2008. Presented a paper, Gender and Religion in South African Higher Education Institutions.
  • All Africa Conference of Churches 9th General Assembly, Maputo, Mozambique, Co-wrote and presented the AACC’s Young African Theologians Commitment to Africa at the joint Assembly, 2008. 

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Member of Unisa’s College of Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee (CREC). Departmental representative.
  • Member of Oxford Roundtable
  • Member of African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies
  • Member of Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians
  • Member of the College Research Ethics Committee (CREC)
  • Scholarship towards PhD studies, The Desmond Tutu Centre SARChi Research Chair in Religion and Social Justice: NRF 2019
  • Scholarship towards PhD studies, Centre for Excellence in Food Security: Mellon Foundation 2017
  • R50 000 for travel to an international conference as reward for completion of Mentorship Course, UNISA 2013
  • Scholarship towards Master’s studies, NFR 2011
  • Scholarship towards Master’s studies, Nurnberger Masters Scholarship          2010
  • Scholarship towards B.th Honours studies, NRF 2009
  • Scholarship towards Bachelor of Theology studies, School of Religion and theology, Pietermaritzburg Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal 2006
  • Certificate of Merit for outstanding performance in the module: History, Truth and Worldviews 2006
  • Certificate of Merit for outstanding performance in the module: Community Development 2008

Projects

  • Hosted a webinar entitled, Re-theorizing African Knowledge, under the theme, “Religion/Theology and Constructions of Earth and Gender.” 29 May 2023.
  • Hosted a Circle of Concerned African Women and Research Institute for Theology and Religion collaborative conference, 24 to 26 July 2022.
  • Participated in a program to address the problem of homelessness in the Pretoria city centre in collaboration with the Tshwane Leadership Foundation and the University of South Africa’s Community Engagement Programme.
  • Training workshops aimed at training academics at UNISA to conduct Contextual Bible Studies in communities of faith, 2012-2013.
  • Assisted with prep and coordination: Workshop on racism in South Africa, University of South Africa, Pretoria. 2012.
  • Designed and facilitated a Contextual Bible Study Workshop, “The Rape of Tamar, 2nd Samuel 13: 1–22”, Christian Believers Fellowship, Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 2009.
  • Designed and facilitated a Contextual Bible Study workshop, “The Rape of Tamar, 2nd Samuel 13: 1-22”, Maritzburg Christian Church, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. 2009.
  • Designed and facilitated a Contextual Bible Study workshop, “The Rape of Tamar, 2nd Samuel 13: 1 – 22”, Entabeni Community Centre, Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 2008.

 

Other

  • Keynote address: Lutheran Communion of Southern Africa, Gender Justice, and Women’s Empowerment Consultation – Human Rights, Gender Equality, and the Church: Challenging the Gaps Between Liberationist and Ecclesial Biblical Renderings. 7 March 2022.