The establishment of a Christian tertiary institution in Limpopo moved a leap forward with the presentation of the vision for such an institution at Bungeni Community Hall a fortnight ago.

Several international and national guests, traditional leaders and interested groups attended the event.

During the meeting, the African regional director of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International), Mr Makhado, reminded all present that Christian education is a solution to Africa’s problems of poverty, moral degradation, racism, HIV and AIDS, and politics.

Prof Derrick Mashau of the Faculty of Theology of the Northwest University unveiled the vision for the establishment of the Christian university in Limpopo by reminding the attendees that this vision is non-optional. "It is God who placed it in our hearts, thereby calling us to be his faithful servants as we wrestle to understand His world biblically. The Tree of Life Institute for Christian Studies (TICSA) will enable its students to recognize the Lordship of Christ in all spheres of life, thereby encouraging them to practice as Christian doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers or farmers." According to Mashau, TICSA is going to be officially opened during the second semester of 2009 and its campus will be situated next to Theocentric Christian College at Matsila, HaMasia.

"We have fewer than 14 months for this vision to be realised. We embrace the spirit of ‘business unusual’ because this will be for us a ‘race against time’".

Mashau’s words were echoed by an international guest speaker from Canada, Bert Witvoet. According to him, all of creation is waiting eagerly for the establishment of the Tree of Life in Limpopo. "Today we raise the flag of TICSA as a sign of our willingness to reach across the man-made barriers of division and to put on the spiritual armour of God, so we can together work for the healing of the nation, for the redemption of a sin-sick world in the area of university-level formation of heart and mind," he said.

Thovhele Nthumeleni Masia was overjoyed that this university was going to be established at his territory. His opening address reminded all present that the beginning of wisdom starts by acknowledging the fact that there never can be any stable society until and unless issues of faith are addressed. He pledged his support for this vision, because he believes that it is yet another step to address broad societal issues of morality, solidarity and brotherhood.

As much as Christianity was used in the past to obstruct and undermine social justice, Khosi Vho-Masia acknowledged the important role that Christianity also played to break down the demise of the apartheid regime. He highlighted that the only indoctrination that can be tolerated in Christian schools and institutions of higher learning "is one that insists that we cannot separate Christianity from the development of our people. It should be indoctrination that insists that Christianity is the foundation for the moral fibre in society." The chief concluded his address by wishing the founders of this vision success. "You are part of a project that correctly dispels the myth that institutions for higher learning are meant for the rich in urban areas and not the poor in rural areas. When this concept succeeds, as it must, you will become a point of reference to all the people of this country, the continent and of the world."

The Tree of Life was unveiled by Mesdames Alice Witvoet and Julia Rabaloyi. Those who remained in the hall until the end proceeded to Matsila at HaMasia for the planting of the Tree as a symbol of the humble beginning of TICSA by Thovhele Khosi Vho-Masia.