Rate My Professor Jaap Durand

Professor Johannes Jacobus (Jaap) Fourie Durand (1934–2022) served as Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of the Western Cape from 1973 and as the institution’s first Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 1980 to 1994. He studied philosophy and theology at the University of the Free State, Stellenbosch University and the Free University of Amsterdam. Prior to his academic career he worked as a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa in the Transkei and Port Elizabeth and served as Moderator of that church. Durand held visiting professorships at universities in the United States and Europe and chaired the Western Cape Peace Committee in the period leading to the 1994 democratic elections. He retired in 1994.

Durand authored numerous books on theological and philosophical topics, including Una sancta Catholica in Sedingperspektief (1961), several volumes in the Wegwysers in die Dogmatiek series (1976–1982), Teks binne Konteks (1987), Geweld – Wat sê die Kerk? (with D.J. Smit, 1995), Ontluisterde Wêreld (2002), The Many Faces of God (2007) and Evolusie, wetenskap en geloof (2013). He published approximately sixty scholarly articles. His contributions were recognised with the Thomas Robertson Award (1951), the Golden Dove of Peace Award (1994), honorary doctorates from the University of Cape Town (1994), the University of the Western Cape (1996), Stellenbosch University (2002) and the University of the Free State, as well as the Totius Medal for Theology (1996). A research chair in his name was later established at the University of the Western Cape in the Department of Religion and Theology.

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