Key staff appointments

Professor Jaco Beyers was appointed as the Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Theology and Religion, from 1 October 2022 until 30 September 2026.

After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Pretoria (UP), Prof Beyers entered the ministry and served in several congregations. During this period he completed his postgraduate studies at the Universities of Bayreuth, Marburg and Heidelberg in Germany.

In 2011, he joined the Department of Science of Religion and Missiology at UP and, after having acted as the programme manager for the programme Religion Studies since 2102, he was appointed as an associate professor in 2015, and as Head of the Department of Religion Studies in 2019.

He has been a member of the Advisory Board for the Curriculum Innovation Board, which forms part of the initiatives of the Future Talent Council, Stockholm, Sweden since 2016, and a research fellow at the Johannes A’Lasco Research Institute in Emden, Germany since 2019.

Ms Nicola Macleod was appointed as the TuksSport Deputy Director: Coaching and Performance Management, effective 1 October 2022.

Macleod has filled various roles within the sporting performance as well as wellness sectors over several years. Her experience and qualifications actively contribute to the next chapter of sport at the University of Pretoria.

She holds an undergraduate degree in Human Movement Sciences from UP, as well as an Honours degree in Human Movement Sciences with specialisation in Biokinetics. Along with these she has obtained several certificates in the sport and fitness sector along with having completed various short courses within the business and leadership space.

Dr Heide Hackmann was appointed as Director: Future Africa, with effect from 1 October 2022 until 30 September 2026.

She brings to the University more than 20 years of international experience in science and technology policy, global science strategy and systems development, as well as international science advice and diplomacy.

Dr Hackmann served as Chief Executive Officer of the International Science Council (ISC) from 2018 onwards, and as Executive Director of the ISC’s two predecessor organisations: the International Social Science Council (2007-2015), and the International Council of Scientific Unions (2015- 2018).

She holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree with Honours in Sociology from the former University of Natal, an MPhil in Contemporary Social Theory from the University of Cambridge in the UK and a PhD in Science and Technology Studies from the University of Twente in the Netherlands.

Professor Loretta Feris was appointed as the Vice-Principal: Academic, effective from 1 July 2022, taking over from Professor Norman Duncan, who retired in August.

Prof Feris has 28 years of experience as an established scholar with international standing and commendable scholarly work, with eight of those years at a senior management level.

She has experience in teaching and learning through her participation in multiple academic committees, including the UCT teaching and learning, language and social responsiveness committees.

From 2004 to 2009 Prof Feris was Associate Prof of Law and Programme Manager of the International Trade and Investment Law in Africa programme at UP. Prior to that she was involved in several roles at the Washington College of Law, American University, Washington, DC in the USA.