Prof Plaatjies-Van Huffel, affectionately referred to as "Ma" Plaatjies-Van Huffel, passed away in 2020 shortly after becoming the first black woman professor in the Faculty of Theology. She was an undaunted protagonist for the role of women in the church in South Africa and in theology, becoming the first woman to be ordained as minister in the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa and later being elected as the first woman moderator of its General Synod. She also served as Africa President in the World-Council of Churches and as a dedicated mentor to numerous young academics and church leaders.

The MA Plaatjies-van Huffel Bursary Fund, as it will henceforth be known, will ensure that her dream of enabling young academics from the family of Reformed churches in Africa will be realised. The fund will annually support postgraduate students from the Reformed church family to do research in Church Polity and Church History.

Prof Reggie Nel, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, said this donation will ensure that Prof Plaatjies-Van Huffel’s mission will continue to endure in her determined, but unassuming way.

"In the spirit of who she was, black women students from our continent will in particular be considered for this fund. This group has been historically disadvantaged, not just by political and socio-economic injustice, but also through a patriarchal society which does not free or enable women to pursue careers."

Rev van Huffel said establishing this bursary allows him to fulfil his wife’s wishes which go beyond the walls of the lecture room.

"My wife felt very blessed for all her achievements and the opportunity to lecture at the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University. She always mentioned how her heart goes out to the less fortunate students who have the ability but not the means to further their studies. She always wanted to do more than teach the students.

"Church Polity and Church History were the subjects that she loved and taught. There is always a lack of bursaries for these courses. By donating to this bursary, the Plaatjies family and I want to honour my late wife’s ground-breaking work, see her legacy continue, and remember her for her pioneering work in this field of study."

He expressed concern about a lack of understanding of Church Polity among some Church members and clergy in these ever challenging and changing times.

"However, if they understand the form or process of civil governance in the Church, they can make informed decisions. The research outcome from recipients of the MA Plaatjies-van Huffel Bursary Fund could help the Church restructure a changing world and society," he said.

The fund was formally launched at the Mary-Anne Plaatjies-van Huffel Memorial Lecture and the first allocation has been awarded for 2023.