The founders of Theocentric Christian College, Prof Derrick Mashau, and Messrs Wilson Mandende and Samuel Mamafha, are currently visiting Canada to share with their Canadian counterparts in Christian Education about the establishment of the teachers training institute in Limpopo.

The Tree of Life Institute for Christian Studies in Africa (TICSA) is a graduate school of Christian higher learning which provides education from a Christian perspective. The slogan of TICSA is Knowing the truth, renewing thoughts and impacting lifestyle.an

According to Prof Mashau, chairperson of missiology in the faculty of theology at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), the need for a Christian higher learning institute in South Africa cannot be overemphasized, where there are few institutions of this nature. "Our times dictate that there should be an institute of this nature in our country," he said. He added that there was enormous growth of Christian schooling in South Africa and the same can be said about the whole of Africa. "The majority of teachers working in South African Christian schools received little or no training regarding the integration of the Biblical worldview in their curricula. For that reason, TICSA will play a crucial role in providing the necessary forum for teacher training, research and curriculum development. This will ensure that our teachers render an effective Christian worldview in their environment," he said.

According to Mashau, the post-apartheid era saw the closing down of a number of teacher training colleges in South Africa, and now the government is running short of well-trained teachers. This has a direct impact to Christian schooling. Mashau also said that the majority of Christian schools, especially those in rural areas, cannot match the government’s remuneration package. "For that reason, we tend to lose the best of our teachers to government schools. This trend will, in the long run, threaten the continued existence of Christian schools in our country. We definitely need to train more teachers who are not only committed Christians, but also committed to Christian education – people with the heart for the gospel, the heart for the children and passion for Christian education (not driven by money, but passion to serve the King)."

TICSA is going to be established next to the Theocentric Christian College in Limpopo. "We want to use Theocentric as a model, providing student teachers with ample time for hands-on training. The Limpopo region is also strategic for safety reasons (very conducive as a teaching-learning environment.)" Limpopo region is also strategic for economic reasons. Limpopo is also strategic in exposing visiting faculties to the beauty of South Africa. "We also believe that most of our visiting faculties will be coming from world cities, and it will be good to expose them to a ‘culturally different environment’ with unique opportunities for touring as well – the Kruger National Park, Maphungubwe, and all sorts of areas with natural beauty in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and neighboring countries. Limpopo also serves as a gateway to Africa," Mashau added.