Abstract:
This article highlights the situation
prior to the establishment of the theological training of the Netherdutch Reformed Church
of Africa (NDRCA). The training of ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) started
in 1859 with the establishment of the Theological Seminary at Stellenbosch. Since 1862 three
churches operated in the then Transvaal (South African Republic). Many ministers of the DRC
were called to serve in the NDRCA. The most notable were the Rev D.P. Ackerman and the
Rev H.S. Bosman. They were called before the origin of the united church (of the NDRCA and
the DRC) that existed between 1885 and 1892. After the split in 1892, they (as well as many
others) continued as ministers in the DRC. The first lecturer of the NDRCA was called in 1917 −
also a minister that was previously from the DRC. The calling of his successor sparked a major
row. The NDRCA congregation of Pretoria called another minister from the DRC – the Rev
H.D. van Broekhuizen. This eventually led to a special meeting of the General Assembly of the
NDRCA in 1917 where his calling was eventually approved.
