Research Institute for Theology and Religion

Prof ME Baloyi

College of Human Sciences
Research Institute for Theology and Religion
Professor
Tel: 012 429 3705
E-mail: baloye@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. (Practical Theology) (University of Pretoria) (2008)
  • M.A. (Practical Theology) (Northwest University) (2001)
  • B.A. (Northwest University) (1998)
  • Candidacy Certificate (Northwest University) (1998)

NRF Rating

C2

Fields of academic interests

  • Pastoral care and counselling in African context
  • African Marriage and Premarital Counselling issues
  • African Philosophies and indigenous knowledge
  • Gender studies in African context
  • Reconciliation and transformation projects in SA
  • Church injustices within the Reformed Churches in South Africa

Field of Specialisation

Practical Theology, specializing in pastoral care and counselling.

I am currently mentoring two Post-Doctoral Fellows:

Dr Hove Rabson (RITR)

Dr Shilubana Mmamajoro Sylvia (RITR)

Books

  • 2022 Baloyi ME, Molobi vs & Naicker L (eds) Religion, Marriage, Sexualities, Culture and Family Dynamics. Cluster Publications, Pietermaritzburg. ISNB 978-1-920620-45-5.
  • 2022 A Fervent Prayer Life- The weapon number one against spiritual warfare. Fothane Books, Pretoria.
  • Building African Christian Marriages. Unisa Press, Pretoria. ISBN 978-1-86888-734-7.
  • Conquering your discouragement. Tough times never last, tough people do. CB Powell Bible

Center, Unisa: Pretoria. ISBN: 9781868886241.

  • Patriarchal structures, a hindrance to women's right. VDM Publishing Company:

Saarbrucken, Germany. ISNB 9783639164497.

Book chapters authored

Baloyi, ME. 2023. Land Redistribution: A thorny issue towards reconciliation in a post-apartheid South

Africa. The chapter published in the book “Sustainability, Ecology, and Religions of the World, ed. Levente Hufnagel. May 2022. IntechOpen, Doi:10.5772/Intechopen.104380

Baloyi, ME. 2022. The paradigm shifts of lobola before and in the context of Covid-19: A black South

African story. In Religion, Marriage, Sexualities, Culture and Family Dynamics Baloyi ME, Molobi VS and Naicker L (eds), Cluster Books, Pietermaritzburg.

Baloyi, ME. 2018.  Affirmative action as a theological-pastoral challenge in the South Africa democratic context, in Poverty reduction strategies in Africa. Toyin Falola and Mike O. Odey (Eds), pp283-294. 

Baloyi, ME. 2018. Pain in the black garment. Pastoral responses to African widowhood. In Religion, culture and spirituality in Africa and the African diaspora. Edited by William Ackah, Jualynne E, Dodson and R. Drew Smith, P69-79. Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, New York and London

Baloyi, ME. 2015.Woman to woman oppression: Pastoral investigation on how African women oppress widows in times of grief. In "African Theological reflections: Critical Voices on Liberation, Leadership, Gender and Eco-Justice." Edited by Chimhanda, FH, Molobi VS and Mothoagae Research Institute for theology and Religion, UNISA-Pretoria.

Journal articles

Baloyi, M.E. (2021). The critical evaluation of educators’ struggles in the context of Covid-19: Some

theological analysis. Advances in Developmental and Educational Psychology, 3(1), 121-129. https://doi.org/10.25082/ADEP.2021.01.005

Baloyi, ME. 2017. Towards a theological response to Affirmative action in South Africa. International

Journal of Africana Studies, vol. 18 no.1, Spring- Summer 2017, p44-52.

Baloyi, ME. 2015. The impact of the pastor’s immoral life in the community- A South African pastoral

investigation. African Journal of Pedagogy and Curriculum. Vol.2 no.1.

Journal articles in DHET Accredited Journals

 

BALOYI, ME, 2024 The pastoral role in moral regeneration – A South African perspective’, In die Skriflig 58(1), a2993. https:// doi.org/10.4102/ids. v58i1.2993

 

BALOYI, ME, 2024 Phalatsi-Shilubana, M., Thinane, J.S., Masuku, M.T., Naicker, L., Hove, R., Baloyi, E., Bentley, W., Molobi, V. & Khuzwayo, S. Decoloniality on culture and religion: Anglican Ritual performed on the Zulu King. Pharos Journal of Theology ISSN 2414-3324 online Volume 105 Issue 1 - (2024)

BALOYI ME, 2023 THINANE JS, MNYALAZA TM, BENTLEY W, NAICKER, L, KHUZWAYO S & HOVE R. 2023 Responsible Public Theology on Climate Change Devastations: Disastrous flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Pharos Journal of Theology, vol 104, no 4, pp1-16. doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.104.424.

 

BALOYI ME 2023 The impact of immigration on the concept of African Marriage- A pastoral study. Southern African Journal of Missiology. Vol. 51 2023. 

 

BALOYI, ME & LINONGE-FONTEBO, H.N. 2023 ‘Gender dynamics in church leadership: A case study of the Presbyterian Church and Full Gospel Mission in Cameroon’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 79(3), a8271. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v79i3.8271

BALOYI ME & ARIMA, C. 2023 Funerals and Family Care in the South African Local Catholic Church. Pharos Journal of Theology. Vol 104(1) 1-16. ISSN 2414-3324 Vol. 104 no 1 (2023).

BALOYI ME & Dlamini PC 2023 Gendered taboos as an impediment to African women’s leadership - a decolonial view. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 00(0), P1-14.  DOI: 10.1177/00219096221086527

BALOYI ME &Arima, C. 2022 Arima C & Baloyi ME. Community in South Africa: A pastoral tool of the local Catholic Church. Accepted by Pharos Journal of Theology and will be published soon in VOL.103(2).

BALOYI ME & Arima C. 2022 Baloyi ME & Arima C. Circumcision as a Pastoral concern in the South African Catholic Church Pharos Journal of Theology   ISSN 2414-3324   Volume 103(2).

BALOYI ME 2022 A pastoral approach to the care of female teachers facing challenges- A South African view. In Die Skriflig, vol 56 no 1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2802

BALOYI ME 2021 Ku tshikileriwa ka ririmi ra Xitsonga e Africa-Dzonga (The marginalization of the Xitsonga language in South Africa). South African Journal of African Languages (SAJAL) Vol.41 No.3 of 23 December 2021. P278-286.  ISSN 0257-2117 EISSN 2305-1159 https://doi.org/10.1080/02572117.2021.2010920

BALOYI ME 2021 The paradox of the reopening of schools under the lockdown – An exposure of the

                continued inequalities within the South African educational sector: A theological decolonial          view, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 77(4), a6365. https://doi.org/     10.4102/hts.v77i4.6365

BALOYI ME. 2021 The escalation of Gender Based Violence during lockdown as a practical theological concern in SA context.  Journal of International Women’s Studies Vol. 22, No. 5 June 2021, p103-115. https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws

BALOYI ME. 2020. The critical role of selected swiyila (taboos) in rural democratic South Africa- A

theological perspective. Accepted and in copyedit, to be published soon by Phronimon Journal.

BALOYI ME, 2020. Black self-hatred: regaining self-worth – from decolonization towards reconciliation

in South Africa - A practical theological appraisal. Theologia Viatorum. Vol 44, No 1 | a33 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/tv.v44i1.33

BALOYI, ME & Manala MJ, 2019. Reflections on challenges of preferring the male child in an African

marriage – a practical theological observation.  Verbum et ecclesia. Verbum et Ecclesia 40(1), a1852.https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.ve40i1.1852.

BALOYI ME. 2018. The evangelical role of witchcraft in some Pentecostal movements: An African

pastoral concern. Missionalia, 46 (1), p56-71. http://dx.doi

BALOYI ME. 2018. Tribalism: Thorny issue towards reconciliation in South Africa a practical theological

appraisal. HTS Theological Studies 74(2), 4772, P1-7. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v74i2.4772.

BALOYI ME. 2018. A continued racial character of some of the Gereformeerde Kerke in South Africa:

Strategic moves evading reconciliation and unity of churches in post-apartheid South Africa. HTS, Vol 74 no 1. HTS Teologiese studies/Theological Studies 74(1), 4782. https://doi.

BALOYI, M.E. 2018. Biblical moral inquest into the tradition of suspecting African women of treachery

upon the death of their husbands. Journal of International Women’s Studies, Aug 2018, Vol.19, issue 6, pp195-207. http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol19/iss6/12/

BALOYI, M.E. 2017. Gendered character of barrenness in an African context- An African pastoral study.

In die skriflig, 51(1). http://dol.org/4102/ids.v5.

BALOYI, M.E. 2016. Theological reflections on sex as a cleansing ritual for African widows. Alternation

23,2 (2016), p201-216.

BALOYI, M.E. 2016. The vat-en-sit unions as a threat to stability of African marriage in South Africa-

African theological pastoral perspective. Phronimon, Volume 17 Number 2 2016 pp. 1–16.

BALOYI, M.E. 2016. The prevalence of women sexual locking in a gender violent context- A pastoral

perspective. Acta Theologica 2016 suppl 24:1-16.

BALOYI, M.E. 2016. Sex as an expression of hospitality. Theological investigation amongst some

Africans. Koers 81(20), p1-8.

BALOYI, M.E.  2016. The church's pastoral role concerning challenges faced by teachers in South

African public schools: Some practical theological perspectives. In die Skriflig/ln Luce Verbi.

BALOYI, M.E. 2016 Language as a dividing factor amongst the Reformed churches in South Africa: A

case study of the Soutpansberg Synod. Journal of Theology of Southern Africa. No 154 March 2016.

BALOYI, M.E. 2016.  Unpacking the downside of Sustentasie on African theology and theologians: A

need for contextual black theology as a liberative ingredient for black Reformed Churches. HTS theological Journal.

BALOYI, M.E., 2015, 'A pastoral investigation into some of the challenges associated with aging and

retirement in the South                 African context', In die Skriflig    49(1).    Art. #1866, 10 pages. http://dx.doi.o rg/10.4102/ids. v49i1.1866

BALOYI, E., 2015, 'The Christian church's role within the escalating mob justice system in our black

townships - An African pastoral view', HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 71(2).  Art.  #2833, 7 pages. http:f/dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v71i2.2833

BALOYI ME.  2015 The Christian View of Levirate Marriage in a Changing South Africa. Journal of

Sociology and Social Anthropology, 166. Kamla-Raj 2015. Vol 6(4):483-491.

BALOYI, ME. 2014 Paying loboIa when my wife dies: an African pastoral study about the practice of

forcing people to pay loboIa after their wives have passed away Journal af Human Ecology (JHE-SV-18-18) vol.48 {1), October 2014, p135-143.

BALOYI, ME-2014 Distance no impediment for funerals" Death as a uniting ritual for African people-

Pastoral study. Verbum et Ecclesia 35(1)

BALOYI, ME. 2014 The Impact of the Extended Family on One's Marriage: An African Study. Journal of

Theology for Southern Africa 148 (March 2014). p18-32.

BALOYI, M.E. 2014 A pastoral examination of the Christian Church's response to fears of and reactions

to witchcraft amongst African people in the Limpopo province of South Africa HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 70(2) Art. 111317, 9 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v70i2.1317

BALOYI, ME. 2013 Critical Reflections on Polygamy in the African Christian Context. Missionalia, Vol

41, Number 2 (Aug 2013), 164-181. http://missionalia.journals.ac.za.

BALOYI, ME. 2013 Wife beating amongst Africans as a challenge to pastoral care. In die skriflig/ In luce

Verbi. Vol. 47(1) 2013.

BALOYI, ME. & MANALA, MJ. 2013 Pastoral care to or with sex-starved pregnant women in African

context. In die Skriflig, Luce Verbi vol.47 nol. Doi:10.4102/ids.v47i1.109.

BALOYI, ME. 2013 A pastoral evaluation of menopause in the African context. HTS Theological 69(2)

http://d x.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v69i2.12 26.

BALOYI, ME. 2012 The use of narrative hermeneutical approach in the counselling of abortion patients

within An African context.  Practical theology in South Africa. HTS Theological Studies 68(2) http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v68i2.1183.

BALOYI, ME, 2012 The use of Imago Dei as a pastoral healing vision against women killings in the South

African context- original research. Verbum et Ecclesia      Journal vol.33. Issue no 1 (2012), p1·6).  Verbum et Ecclesia 33(1).  Art. 11703, 6 pages. http:// dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v33 i1.703

BALOYI, ME. 2011 The ethics of Christian giving as liberation vision for the wellbeing of the black

African Reformed churches. Journal of theology and religion in Africa (Theologia Viatorum) Vol.35, no.1 2011, p96-117.

BALOYI, ME. 2011 Church Unity and Justice in the Gereformeerde Kerke in South Africa: perspectives

from the Soutpansberg synod between 2003 and 2008. Studio Histariae Ecclesiasticae, May 2011vol.xxxvii nol. p59-75.

BALOYI, ME. 2010 Pastoral care and the agony of female singles in African Christian context. In die

Skriflig  vol. 44(3&4)2010, p723-742.

BALOYI, ME. 2010 The sustentasie problem in the Reformed churches of South Africa: Unmasking the

dilemma Facing black theologians. Scriptura vol105 (2010:3).

BALOYI, M.E. 2010 A re-reading of John 8:1-11 from a pastoral liberative perspective to South African

women. Journal of practical theology (http:www.org.za/index.php/HTS/article/view/838). Vol.66 (2)2010.

BALOYI, ME. 2010 An African view of women as sexual objects, a concern for gender equality: a critical

study. Verbum et ecclesia (http://www.veorg.za) Vol 31(1)2010.

BALOYI, ME. 2010 Lobolo in the African Community. Journal of theology and religion in Africa

(theologia Viatorum) vol. 34/1/2010, p50-70.

BALOYI, ME.  2009 Critical reflections on infertility amongst the African people. Journal of Practical

Theology in S.A. vol.24 (2) 2009, 1-15. ISSN 1010-8017.

BALOYI, ME. 2008 Biblical exegesis of headship:  A challenge to patriarchal understanding that

impinges on women's rights in the church and society.  Verbum et ecclesia vol.29(1) 2008, 1-14. ASSN 16099982.

Paper presentations

2023    “The relevance of Decolonizing African Traditional Language within Traditional Funeral context, South African Study.” At the 4th School of Arts Conference at Sun City between 16 and 20 October 2023.

2023       “The critical evaluation of the impact of the impact of the religious belief within post-Colonial burial rites- A South African perspective” In the 9TH African Association for the study of Religious Studies (AARS) Conference in Nairobi, Kenya between 02 and 04 August 2023.

2022       “The erosion of African Indigenous funeral practices as a serious concern for decoloniality- a pastoral concern.” Department of Leadership and Training conference date 22 November 2022 at Unisa Senate Hall.

2019       “Land redistribution: A thorny issue towards reconciliation in South Africa- A practical theological perspective.” A paper delivered in the seminar entitled Religious Communities and sustainable development (In South Africa). Interdisciplinary approaches to the study of an emerging research field. Seminar was held in the University of Pretoria between 27 and 31 January 2019.

2017       “The challenge of pastoral practice in African context” in the ACRP first historical conference        held in Pretoria from 24 and 26 August 2017.

2017       “Transatlantic Roundtable on religion and race” conference held in Howard University in Washington DC, USA on 28-30 July 2017 and delivered a paper entitled: “Tribalism: Thorny issue towards reconciliation in South Africa- A Practical Theological Appraisal.”

2015       "Re-reading the phrase "Women and children not counted" in Matt 14:21 in a     women and child abusive violence context" in the second international RIT Vimarsh entitled             'Gender and violence  held in New Delhi, India between 09 and 12 October  2015.

2015       "Language as dividing factor amongst the Reformed churches in South Africa: A case study of the  Soutpansberg   Synod"  was  delivered in  the  Church  History   Society  of            Southern  Africa (CHSSA) conference  held in NWU (Potchefstroom) between 13 and 15 August             2015.

2015       Unpacking the downside of sustentasie on African Theology and theologians: A need for contextual black theology as a liberative ingredient for the black Reformed churches." In visiting GBFE schools in Germany, Denmark and Switzerland I delivered a paper in their M & D seminar entitled: " Seminar was held in Wiendenest, Germany between 23 June and 11 July 2015.

2015       "The impact of migration to an African marriage concept." at the Africa conference in the University of Texas, in Austin (USA) that was held between 02-04 April 2015.

2013       "The Christian view of levirate    marriage in a changing South Africa." 2nd Congresso lnternacional da Faculdades  Est" held  between 08  and 12  September   2013 in Sao Leopoldo, Brazil.

2012       "Pain in the black garments- A pastoral study of widowhood amongst

                African people" was delivered at the Conference entitled "Black Church Activism and       multiculturalism in America, Europe and Africa" that was held between 29·31 May 2012 in   Birkbeck University of London.

2012       "Affirmative action as a theological pastoral challenge in the South African democratic context." A paper delivered at the "2012   Africa conference on poverty and empowerment in Africa"           conference held in the University of Texas, Austin (USA) between 29 March and 01 April 2012.

2011       "Pastoral evaluation of menopause in the African context." A title of the paper delivered in the "Law, Gender and social transformation conference" held from 29 August 2011 to 02 September 2011at the University of Limpopo (Turfloop campus).

2010      "Critical reflections on polygamy in African Christian context." A paper delivered at the conference entitled: "Law, Gender and Social Transformation" held on 30 August -03 September 2010 at University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus.

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Membership Award and Grant: Center of Theological Inquiry 2023-2025, Princeton, USA: Thriving in Diverse Context.
  • Research Professorship Award from 01 March 2023 to 2025, UNISA
  • Member of Unisa College of Human Sciences Student Disciplinary Committee from 2022-present
  • National Research Foundation (NRF) C2 Rated Professor
  • NRF Social Sciences and Humanities standing panel member: 2020 to date
  • Chair of the Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology:  2017 to 2021
  • Editorial Board Member of the Journal In die Skriflig.
  • Editorial Board member of the Journal of International Women’s Studies (JIWS)
  • Guest Editor of Religion Special Volume- 2023.
  • Guest Editor of special issue of JIWS as: Baloyi, Elijah and Siwila, Lilian Cheelo (2022) "Violence against Women and Girls in Africa in the absence of Ubuntu," Journal of International Women's Studies: Vol. 24: Iss. 4, Article 1.
    Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol24/iss4/1
  • Chairperson of the Board of Research Institute for Theology and Religion at Unisa (RITR): January 2019 to 2021
  • Director Board member of Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP): January 2016 – present
  • Practical Theology Discipline Leader from January 2014 to December 2016
  • Member of American Academy of Religion
  • Director-member of South African Association of Pastoral Work (SAAP) to date
  • Member of Church History in South Africa (CHSA) to date
  • Society of Practical Theology in South Africa (SPTSA) to date
  • South African Missiological Society (SAMS) to date
  • The Association of Christian Counselling in South Africa (ACCSA) to date

Completed or graduated Masters and Doctoral Student Supervised

Mabasa Robert Bumani. 2022. PhD: Pastoral Inquiry of the Clergy into Dual Relationship in the District 3 Full Gospel Church of God: A Congregational Paradox.

Lowane  Eudora Nkateko. 2022. PhD in in Psychology: The HIV/AIDS peer education (PE)                                                programme of Youth for Christ Mpumalanga (YFCMPU) and its impact on young                                                 adults: an exploratory study.   

Sawa Johanna  Mth: 2021: A Pastoral exploration of the possible barriers to disclosure of HIV/AIDS 

status amongst members of Shining Light Ministries, Tierpoort. 

Mapani Paul Samandla. 2020. PhD: Exploring economics Neo-Pentecostalism and Scientific rationality, a critical reflection on imagining better Pentecostal Theology.

Shilubana, Mmamajoro. 2019. PhD: Care and Support to sex addicts in the Evangelical Pentecostal Church- A Practical Theological Investigation of sex addiction in Gauteng.

Stapelberg Elize. 2017. PhD: An exploration of a narrative pastoral approach to improve the lives of female teachers in the South African context.          

Arima Cyril. 2017 PhD: Family pastoral care as the church’s task in nation building in the West Nile Region.

Mbhele MJ. 2015. Master’s in psychology: The psychological role of patriarchy on African marital relationship.

Bauemeister A. 2012: Mth. The wellness of families: The exploration into an integrated                                                  family    counselling workbook.

Dickson N. 2012. Mth. Weaving Narrative and pastoral threads into meaningful co-research with women living with cancer.

Fortuin P. 2012. Mth:  Re-performing trauma, making use of a narrative pastoral approach.

Projects

  • Thriving in Diverse Contexts with Center of Theological Inquiry, Staying in Princeton, USA (2023-2025)
  • The Erosion of Post Colonial African Funeral Traditions 2023-2026 with Erosion Research Team
  • Meal of peace with department of Missiology
  • Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP)- Official Pastoral Counsellor (2016 to present)
  • Radio Pulpit Tuesday Live, preaching and counselling programs (2012 to present)
  • Church Planting (2013 to present)