Preface to the jubilee number dedicated to Prof Dr C R de Beer, Vice-Rector, University of Pretoria, on the occasion of Universary of Pretoria's centenary

It is a great honour for the Editorial Board of HTS Theological Studies to dedicate this celebratory edition of the journal to Professor C R de Beer, the Vice-Rector, who is, inter alia, responsible for the Faculty of Theology, in this jubilee year of the University of Pretoria.

Professor De Beer's involv-ement with the Faculty dates back to June 1995, when he was appointed the vice-rector respons-ible for the then two Faculties of Theology. This was a good choice for all concerned. He played a crit-ical role in the amalgamation of the two faculties (Sections A and B) eight years ago. With his legal mind, managerial skills, and sens-itivity to church matters and values, he facilitated the agreement which became the foundation for further cooperation between church and university.

Over the years, Professor De Beer has shown respect for the fact that theology is fundamentally a scientific endeavour. Therefore he sees the task of a Faculty of Theology not as providing ideol-ogical training, but rather as engag-ing in academic theology as a critical science. With his leader-ship, the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria has reached a level of excellence in South Africa. Under his efficient guidance the strategic motto of the University of Pretoria, to be internationally competitive and locally relevant, has been intentionally carried out. The HTS Theological Studies has played an important role in this pursuit of excellence. It is listed internationally in all the most impor-tant indexes of this genre.

The Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria accom-modates a variety of church part-ners and is always open to negot-iations with new partners. This con-tributed to the local relevance of the Faculty. At the University of Pret-oria, Professor De Beer facilitates and promotes the multi-cultural character of the University. In this way the University can make a contribution to the country as a whole.

HTS Theological Studies is honoured by Professor De Beer's association with the Faculty in gen-eral and with this journal in partic-ular. We hope that this involvement will continue for many years to come!

HTS Theological Studies would al-so like to congratulate the Univers-ity of Pretoria on the momentous occasion of its centenary on 8 Fe-bruary this year. We hope that UP will indeed - in the words of General Jan Smuts one hundred years ago - be for South Africa what the University of Oxford has become for the United Kingdom!

ABRIDGED CURRICULUM VITAE: PROF C R DE BEER

Prof C R de Beer matriculated at the Hoërskool Lichtenburg and obtained the following tertiary qualifications:

BJur et Art (PU for CHE)
LLB (cum laude) (PU for CHE)
LLM (RAU)
LLM (UWC)
Drs Iuris (Leiden)
LLD (Leiden).

Prof De Beer was admitted as advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa and practiced part-time for a while in this capacity.

He held the following academic and managerial positions at the Pot-chefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and at the University of Pretoria respectively:

Professor and Head of the Depart-ment Commercial Law (PU for CHE)
Deputy Dean: Faculty of Law (PU for CHE)
Dean: Faculty of Law (PU for CHE)
Registrar (UP)
Vice Rector (UP).

Prof De Beer is the author and co-author of several scientific public-ations and has undertaken numer-ous overseas study and research tours. He has broad financial and managerial experience which he obtained in various capacities.

As Vice Rector of the University of Pretoria, Prof De Beer is responsible for several faculties within the Social Sciences, as well as for Student Matters, Human Resources, Student Residence and Accommodation Matters, Security Services, the Mamelodi campus and several special projects.

Prof De Beer is a member of The South African Academy for Science and Arts and of the Acad-emy of Science of South Africa.

J Buitendag
Chairperson of the Editorial Board of HTS Theological Studies
University of Pretoria