Research Institute for Theology and Religion

Prof VMS Molobi

College of Human Sciences
Research Institute for Theology and Religion
Professor
Tel: 012 429 4671
E-mail: molobvs@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • Introduce the African Ph.D. (Missiology) (University of South Africa) (2005).
  • M.Th. (Missiology) (University of South Africa) (2000).
  • B.Th Hons. 1996 Unisa
  • B.Th 1994.
  • PhD, Title: Unisa African Theology, Black Theology, and the AIC: vision for mission.
  • MTh, Title: African Independent Churches as interlocutors to Black Theology.

Fields of academic interests

  • Vision for a better world and developing new theology of the AICs
  • Health and poverty
  • AICs and traditional medicine and traditional healers
  • Sacred spaces among the AICs
  • African Pentecostals and the mainline Pentecostals
  • Ecology and Land development

Field of Specialisation

  • African Independent Churches (AICs)
  • African Theology and Black Theology
  • Pentecostal Churches theology and leadership
  • Ecology and climate change
  • African Traditional Religion (ATR) research, Africanisation, and decolonisation

Books

  • Baloyi, E, Molobi, VS and Naicker, L. (2023). “Introduction” in (eds) Baloyi, Molobi: Naicker. Religion, Marriage, Sexualities, Culture and Family Dynamics. Cluster Publications.
  • Van Aarde, A.G., Bentley, W. & Molobi, V. (2019). ‘Editorial – Christina Landman Festschrift’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 75(1), a5880. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/hts. v75i1.5880
  • Francisca H Chimhanda, Victor MS Molobi & Itumeleng D Mothoagae. (2015). African Theological Reflections: Critical Voices on Liberation, Leadership, Gender, and Eco-Justice. RITR, Unisa.  
  • Molobi, VS, Mahlobo, M, and Chikane F (2008). History of the Black AFM: Missing link 1908 to 2008. RITR, CB Powell, University of South Africa.
  • Victor MS Molobi (2015). Desertedness of the farm workers in Rust de Winter: 1994-2005. African Theological Reflections: Critical Voices on Liberation, Leadership, Gender, and Eco-Justice. RITR, Unisa.
  • Van Aarde, A.G., Bentley, W. & Molobi, V. (2019). ‘Editorial – Christina Landman Festschrift’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 75(1), a5880. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/hts. v75i1.5880
  • Molobi, V. S. (2010). Guest editor of Prof Maimela festschrift. 2010.Studia Historiae.July,2010. Vol. 34. Supplement. 

Journal articles

  • Aryeh, Daniel N.A. and Molobi, VS. (2023). Manuscript title: Biblical Interpretation during the Era of the Covid-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from Africa. Journal: HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies.
  • Akinboade, O.A., Taft, T., Weber, J.F., Manoko, O.B. and Molobi, V.S. (2023). "How the social entrepreneurship business model designs in South Africa create value: a complex adaptive systems approach", Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 70-95. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-02-2021-0057
  • Akinboade, Oludele, Molobi, Victor & Taft, Trevor. (2023). Food insecurity, social support, and COVID-19 pandemic among the urban slum dwellers of Soshanguve, South Africa. 10.22541/au.167407883.33545019/v1. 
  • Akinboade, O A; Taft, Trevor; Weber, J F; Ngoepe-Ntsoane, Mokgadi; Molobi, V S. (2023). Prosocial motives of solar entrepreneurs combating energy poverty in South Africa Received: 25 January 2023 Revised: 15 March 2023 Accepted: 23 March 2023 DOI: 10.1002/bsd2.243
  • Akinboade, O A; Trevor Taft; Weber, J F; Manoko, O B; Molobi, VS (2021), How the social entrepreneurship business model designs in South Africa create value: a complex adaptive systems approach. Received 7 February 2021 Revised 26 March 2021 5 May 2021 19 August 2021 Accepted 19 August 2021.
  • Akinboade, O E; Trevor Taft: Weber, J F; Manoko, O B; Molobi, VS. (2021). Correlates of access to ICT and food security of the poor in South Africa’s Soshanguve.10 November 2021. GeoJournal https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10550-y
  • Akinboade, O A; Taft, T; Weber, J F; Manoko, O B; Molobi, V S. (2021). How the social entrepreneurship business model designs in South Africa create value. Available on Emerald Insight. https://www.emerald.com/insight/2053-4604.htm
  • Akinboade, O. A; Taft; Weber, J F; Manoko, O B; Molobi, V S (2021). How the social entrepreneurship business model designs in South Africa create value: a complex adaptive systems approach Business, Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging economies’ 13 September 2021.  DOI: 10.1108/JEEE-02-2021-0057
  • Bentley & Victor M. S. Molobi. 2019. Editorial – Christina Landman Festschrift, Andries G. Van Aarde, Wessel Bentley & Victor Molobi HTS Theological Studies 8 (1), HTS Theological Studies 75 (1).
  • Molobi, Victor & Mzondi, Abraham. (2022). African Motherhood and Bosadi (Womanhood) among Pentecostals and Evangelicals: A Mohlakeng Perspective since the 1980s. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae. 48. 10.25159/2412-4265/10844.
  • Akinboade, Oludele; Daseman, Anrich; Taft, Trevor and Molobi, Victor. (2017). Regulation, Cross Border Migrants, and the Choice of Remittance Channels in South Africa. Journal of Economics and Behavioural Studies. 9. 201-214. 10.22610/jebs. v9i2(J).1661.
  • Molobi, V and Naicker, L (2022). A Socially engaged Theological Response to the Historic and Structural Nature of Food Insecurity in South Africa. Political Science. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, 22 June 2022. June 2022. DOI:10.25159/2412-4265/10656
  • Molobi, Victor MS and Bentley, Wessel, (2019). Affiliations: 1 Research Institute for Theology and Religion, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. Engaging the work of Professor Christina Landman.  HTS Theological Studies 75 (1) (2019).
  • Molobi, Victor. (2016). Dealing with poverty, health, and maternal child survival: The Organisation of African Independent Churches perspective. Verbum et Ecclesia. 37. 10.4102/ve. v37i1.1521.
  • Molobi, Victor. (2014). Living in the townships: An appraisal of Pentecostal social ministry in Tshwane. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies. 70. 10.4102/hts. v70i3.2791.
  • Molobi, Victor. (2009). Vanguard of African culture: An analysis of the oral history of selected AICs in Tshwane (Pretoria). 35.
  • Molobi, Victor. (2008). The marginalisation of women in the African Initiated Churches in South Africa, 1882 to 2006. 34. 1-14.
  • Molobi, Victor. (2023). The history and potential of burial societies in creating basic Christian communities in South Africa. Pp 153-170
  • Molobi, V.S. AIC theologies and western missions - A South African analysis April 2020. Missionalia 47(3), DOI:10.7832/47-3-338
  • Molobi Victor M S. (2015). Deserting of the farm workers in Rust de Winter: 1994-2005. In Francisca H Chimhanda, Victor MS Molobi and Itumeleng D Mothoagae. Unisa, RITR, 2015.[E11] 
  • Molobi, M.S. Dealing with poverty, health, and maternal child survival: The Organisation of African Independent Church's perspective. Verbum et Ecclesia 37 (1) a1521 Author:  Victor MS Molobi
  • Molobi, V. (2014). Living in the townships: An appraisal of Pentecostal social ministry in Tshwane HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 70, No, (2014) | a2791 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v70i3.2791
  • Molobi, Masilo V S. (2014). The black church and family empowerment in South Africa. Journal: Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, Vol. 40, 2014. Supplement, pp 195-211.
  • Molobi, M S. (2014). A community’s struggle to recapture sacred tradition and reoccupy ancestral land: the case study of the Barokologadi. Journal Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, May 2014, 40 (1), 117-135.
  • Molobi, M. (2013). “The Historical Voices of the African Independent Churches: Towards New Development.” Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, no. 39.
  • Molobi, MS (2012). The relationship between the WCC and the OAIC: an assessment of the mutual influence on ecumenical Praxis. Journal: Studiae Historiae Ecclesticae (Dec. 2012 Vol. 38, no2).
  • Molobi, VS. (2011). Power struggle, poverty, and breakaways in the African Independent Churches in South Africa. Journal: Studiae Historiae Ecclesiae (Sep 2011. Vol. 37. (2).
  • Molobi, VS. (2011). The ecumenical vision of the Organization of the African Independent Churches from an educational perspective, Journal: Studiae Historiae Ecclesticae (May 2011 Vol. 37. No1).
  • Molobi, VS. (2010). African, Black and AIC Theologies as the mainstream historical sources of constructing for an African church. Scriptura 105 (2010), 494-506.
  • Molobi VS, (2010) The past and the future of Black theology in South Africa. Studiae Historiae Ecclesticae. July 2010. Vol. 36. Supplement.
  • Molobi, VS, (2006). In defence of children against family and community violence with reference to informal settlements.
  • unisa.ac.za https://uir.unisa.ac.za/.../Molobi_1_.pdf;sequence=1 · PDF file
  • Molobi, VS, and M. G. Mahlobo. (2008). The Zion and Apostolic Faith Mission Encounter in Wakkerstroom. In An Oral History of the South African Apostolic Faith Mission: A Missing Link of Black Historical Discourse 1908-1960 Onwards., edited by V. S. Molobi and F. Chikane, 41-48. Pretoria: CB Powell Bible Centre, Unisa.
  • Akinboade, O A; Taft, T; Weber, J F; Manoko, O B; Molobi, V S. (2022). Correlates of access to ICT and food security of the poor in South Africa’s Soshanguve. Published: 21 January 2022. Geo-Journal volume 87, p5165 pp, 5178 (2022).
  • Molobi, V S. (2020). The Scramble for Land between the Barokologadi Community and Hermannsburg Missionaries V. Molobi History’ 26 October 2020
  • Molobi, V S. (2018). Drawing a Connection between Coptic Christianity, their St Mark Tradition, and Contemporary AICs: A Conversation with Coptic Bishop Markos’ Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, vol. 44, no. 1, 2018, p. 16 pages, doi:10.25159/2412-4265/3187.
  • Molobi, V S. (2018). External causes and effects of construction project delays in South Africa column a case study of a government department in the economic - Security cluster. (JEBS).
  • Molobi, V S. (2009). The historical AIC voices towards new development. Submitted for the festschrift Off professor du Toit. Studiae Historiae Ecclesiae, Vol,39.
  • Molobi, V S. (2009). Do Zionist Churches Still Matter When Envisioning a Rainbow Nation? In Mission Focus annual review.2009 Vol 17.
  • Molobi VS. (2009). AICs Indigenous Knowledge and Theological Education Initiative in Southern Africa. 2009 Vol 17.
  • Molobi, VS, T. J. Skhosana, and P. N. Kekana. (2008). "History of the AFM in the Northern Transvaal (Lowveld Region)." In An Oral History of the South African Apostolic Faith Mission: A Missing Link of Black Historical Discourse 1908-1960 Onwards., edited by V. S. Molobi and F. Chikane, 63-73. Pretoria: CB Powell Bible Centre, Unisa.
  • Molobi, V and Saayman, W. (2006). Time for complementarity: African Theology, Black Theology, and the AICs. Published Online:1 Aug Published Online:1 Aug 2006 https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC75989
  • Molobi, Victor. (2006). The AICS and theological training: with special reference to the St John apostolic faith mission of Ma Nku. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, vol. XXXII, no. 3, pp. 33-52.
  • Molobi, V. (2005). An African theology of healing and its impact on HIV and AIDS', Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, Vol. XXXI, No1. 2, pp. 313-332.
  • Molobi, Victor. (2005). Ancestral veneration of the core of African Spiritual renewal among the AICs in South Africa', Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, Vol. XXXI, No. 1, pp. 111-126.

  • [E11]Please start with authors

Paper presentations

  • Molobi, V S. (2013). The historical AIC voices towards new development. Submitted for the Festschrift of Prof CW du Toit in Journal of Studiae Historiae Ecclesticae 2013 Vol. 39 supplement, 155 to 167. Kenya, Nairobi.
  • Molobi, Victor Masilo. (2012). The relationship between the WCC and the OAIC: an assessment of the mutual influence on ecumenical Praxis. 2012 OAIC, Nairobi Kenya.
  • Molobi, Masilo. (2012). The Historical voices of the African Independent Churches: towards new development, 2012, Kenya, Nairobi.
  • Molobi, Masilo. (2011). The ecumenical vision of the Organisation of African Independent Churches from educational perspective. 2011, Kenya, Nairobi.
  • Molobi, V. (2006). The AICs and theological training: with special reference to the St John's Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Ma Nku', Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, vol. XXXII, no. 3, pp. 33-52.
  • Molobi, MS. (2019). AIC theologies and western missions A South African analysis. Missionalia 47-3 Molobi (319–336) 319. www.missionalia.journals.ac.za  https://doi.org10.7832/47-3-338.
  • Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary … Keynoter Victor Molobi of UNISA. South Africa. Presentations were published in Mission Focus: Annual Review in the volume 17. Editor: Walter Swantsky, Elkhart, Indiana.wsawatsky@aol.com
  • Molobi, V S. (2009). Do Zionist Churches Still Matter When Envisioning a Rainbow Nation? In Mission Focus annual review.2009 Vol 17.
  • Molobi, V S. (2009). AICs Indigenous Knowledge and Theological Education Initiative in Southern Africa. 2009 Vol 17.
  • The articles are listed on the Anabaptism and Mission: an online bibliography (1859-2011). Edited and updated by Chad Mullet Bauman and James R Krabil (First edition).

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Acting HoD of The Research Institute for Theology and Religion (RITR) 2019-2022
  • Chair of Black Concerned Group and later became Black Forum 2009-2023
  • Theology Journal of Black Theology. 2010-2023
  • Treasurer of Church History Society 2017-2022
  • Chair of Church History Society 2022 to 2025.
  • Member of the Education and Training Department in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa.
  • Member of the Church Ethical doctrine Committee
  • Minister in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa.

Projects

  • African Independent Churches (AICs) theology and development
  • Relationships between African Pentecostals and the mainline Pentecostalism.
  • Myth of Trees and Shrubs in the Bushveld.
  • ATR, Ecology and development

Other

  • Molobi, Victor M S. Advance Short Course in Higher Education and Open Distance Learning (2009). Unisa. Intermediate English Conversation Class, 1995. Unisa.