Malan Nel was born on February 04, 1939 in the Calvinia district (Cape Province). He is the youngest fof 5 children, two sisters and two brothers. He is indeed a ‘Boemanlander’ – a district known for their way of using Afrikaans and for their humor. He started school in a school his father started on the farm where he grew up. For the sake of having 12 children in the school he was sent to school at an early age and finished his Grade 12 at 16 years of age in the Calvinia Highschool. He turned 17 on the campus of the University of Pretoria where he has just registered for a BSc Civil Engineering. At the end of his first year in this program he had a deep and quiet experience in a worship service that God calls him to become a pastor. Below is a summary of his professional ministerial life after the seven years of training to become a pastor in his tradition (Dutch Reformed).
He is married for 25 years to Marlèse. During a first marriage two sons were born. The eldest one died in 1999. Together he and Marlèse have 8 grand children.
Present occupation
Extra-ordinary Professor, Dept. of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria. RSA
Previous occupations
| 1965 - 1970 | Pastor, Dutch Reformed Church, Kloofsig |
| 1970 - 1975 | Director for Ministry and Evangelism |
| 1974 | Co-leader of an all year Nation wide Youth Evangelism Campaign |
| 1975 - 1977 | Student pastor, Universiteitsoord, Pretoria |
| 1977 - 1980 | Director for Youth Ministry, National Synod, D R C |
| 1980 - 1983 | Senior Lecturer, Practical Theology, D R C, University of Pretoria |
| 1983 - 1988 | Co-professor, Practical Theology, D R C, University of Pretoria |
| 1983 - 1988 | Director, Centre for Continuing Theological Training, University of Pretoria |
| 1988 | Principal Lecturer, Biblical Studies, Vista Univ., Pretoria |
| 1993 | Head, Division for Contextual Ministry, Department Biblical Studies, Vista University |
| 1994-2001 | Professor and Head, Division for Contextual Ministry, Dept Religious Studies, Vista University |
| 2002 - 2012 | Professor and Director, Centre for Contextual Ministry, Faculty Theology, University of Pretoria |
| 2002 - | Extra-ordinary Professor, Dept. of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria. RSA |
Qualifications
| 1955 | Std 10, Calvinia, Cape Province |
| 1959 | BA, University of Pretoria |
| 1963 | Diploma in Theology, University of Pretoria |
| 1964 | Candidates Diploma (Cum Laude), University of Pretoria |
| 1982 | DD, University of Pretoria (Major Doctoral degree of the Faculty) |
Subjects for BA degree
Mathematics 1. Physics 1, Chemistry 1, Afrikaans 1B, Sociology 2, Greek 3, Hebrew 3, German 1B (1975)
Subjects for Doctoral studies
Practical Theology (Major), New Testament, Church Polity
Title for Dissertation
Written in Afrikaans. Translated title: Youth evangelism by the Dutch Reformed Church. (A theoretical and practical study against the background of the local church’s ministry and the recognized Youth policy of the D R C).
Is the Doctoral Dissertation published?
Yes. Title: Jeug en Evangelie, (Youth and the Gospel) N G Kerkboekhandel, 1982.
Publications
| Books and Parts of books | 44 |
| Devotionals in Daily paper: Beeld | 104 |
| Articles, Popular-scientific | 124 |
| Articles, Scientific (national en international) | 55 |
Ministry Experience
50 years.