Lovemore Togarasei

Dr Lovemore Togarasei is a Zimbabwean national currently teaching in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Botswana where he holds a Senior Lectureship position. He has been with the University since 2005. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (New Testament Studies/African Christianity), an MA (New Testament Studies), a BA Hons (Religious Studies), a BA (Archaeology and Religious Studies) and a Graduate Certificate in Education, all from the University of Zimbabwe. Before joining the University of Botswana, Togarasei taught at the University of Zimbabwe for close to ten years. He has also been a visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge (2003-2004) and Edinburgh University (2006)

Togarasei teaches courses in Biblical Studies, Greek and New Religious Movements. His research interests are in the Bible and African Christianity and he has published several journal articles and book chapters. The most recent ones are on Pentecostalism and media in Botswana and Zimbabwe, the conversion of Paul in light of conversion in African Christianity, the interpretation of the Bible during Zimbabwe's 2000 land reform programme and a review of Musa W. Dube's interpretation of the Bible. Togarasei also takes interest in HIV and AIDS issues. In 2006 to 2007 he was Principal Investigator of a team of researchers who were contracted by the US Embassy in Botswana to assess the capacity of faith-based organizations to prevent HIV in Botswana. He has also published journal articles on HIV and AIDS and biblical interpretation in Africa. He is currently editing a book on HIV and AIDS and religion in Botswana.

During his fellowship period at the ASC, Togarasei will be working on how the appropriation of media technology has transformed the African Christian landscape. Specifically he will be looking at the use of media technology by Pentecostal churches in Botswana and Zimbabwe. What media technologies are being utilized by these churches? What theology informs the utilization? How has the use of these technologies led to a need for a redefinition of 'a Christian'; in other words what are the implications of the use of media technologies for Christian ecumenism and fellowship? These are some, among other, questions that he will endeavour to address in an attempt to show how the appropriation of media technologies has transformed the African religious (Christian) landscape.