Staff and students at the Theological Faculty at Stellenbosch University were treated to a spirited performance by Spoegwolf frontman Danie du Toit at the annual Theological Day that took place on Monday. Scroll down for the story. 

Spoegwolf frontman rocks up at Theological Day as academic year gets on its way at Stellenbosch University 

Staff and students at the ‘Kweekskool’ in Stellenbosch were treated to a spirited performance by Spoegwolf frontman Danie du Toit at the annual Theological Day that took place on Monday (10th February). 

Du Toit performed three songs and then led the audience of more than 100 people in a rendition of “Guide me, o Thou great Redeemer”, sung in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.

The Theological Day traditionally kicks off the Faculty of Theology’s academic year, prof Robert Vosloo from the Department of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology, explained. This year’s theme was “Just Flourishing? – Theology, Community and Sustainable Wellbeing in the age of Anxiety” and saw contributors such as psychologists Melody Pick and Kopano Ratele share the podium with theologians Nadia Marais and Carel Anthonissen. “I can reassure someone until I’m blue in the face, and do resilience work, but unless social issues change, it makes psychological well being virtually impossible,” Pick explained citing examples such as unemployment, economic exclusion and certain physical or emotional threats. “True mental health cannot be achieved without addressing the social factors that contribute to psychological distress. Our role is not just to treat symptoms, but to contribute to …transformation,” Pick said. She expanded on the Feminist slogan of the personal being political to assert: The psychological is political. 

Dr Nadia Marais gave a thorough overview of theological study, research and reflection on the concept of human flourishing. “Not everyone is convinced of this focus (on flourishing) in academia … with some scholars suggesting that we also need to spend time reflecting on the dangers and impossibility of seeking happiness, (and) the importance of resisting toxic versions of human flourishing and the elusive quest for wellbeing.” Marais, however, put it to the audience: “Can we altogether avoid reflecting what it is to flourish rather than to be well; especially in a time when so many of us are truly unwell?”