Theologian and academic Professor Mwelase Welile Llewellyn Mazamisa, who has died aged 73, was a humble man whose intellect and humanitarianism affected everyone he met. He was variously and affectionately known as "Wez", "Weli", "Prof" and "Doc". Born in Korsten, Port Elizabeth, Mazamisa hailed from a family that had been active in the church and politics since the late 1800s. Little wonder, then, that having studied theology but also having come into contact with political luminaries like Steve Biko, Mazamisa became a proponent of black consciousness and black theology.The black consciousness definition of "blackness" as a state of mind rather than a skin colour, was, for Mazamisa, a powerful tool to reinterpret theology through an African lens outside of the Western-Hellenistic tradition.A founder member of "the Broederkring", formed in 1974 in an attempt to challenge the Broederbond's stranglehold on the church, he played a key role in the transformation of the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa and its later incarnation as the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa.Raised by his grandfather in Kimberley, Mazamisa wished to study law, but heeded his grandfather's advice and enrolled at a seminary in Mthatha instead. He continued studying through Unisa while serving as a minister for the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa in Worcester for 10 years, before obtaining his PhD from a theological university in Kampen in the Netherlands on a scholarship organised by Beyers Naudé.Mazamisa characterised "Oom Bey" as a man of great spiritual presence who transcended his Afrikaner context to develop an "ethics of balance", a principle that Mazamisa emulated in his own life, striving to overcome bitterness and avoid extremes.story_article_left1His wit, intelligence and quick sense of humour attested to Mazamisa's success in finding this balance. Laughter defined his character and infused his personal and professional relationships.Even under difficult circumstances, he could help people see the lighter side, and motivate them to start over.On returning from the Netherlands, Mazamisa lectured at the University of Cape Town from 1987 to 2010, during which time he also served as a part-time minister for the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa in Langa.Mazamisa was the first black warden of UCT's Leo Marquard Hall residence, becoming a father figure and mentor to scores of students with whom he shared his time, wisdom and affection. His daughter recalls several gay students coming out to Mazamisa and asking him to explain to their parents that they could be both African men and gay. For many, accepting their gay sons was eased by Mazamisa's intervention.He could often be seen playing with children, pulling funny faces to make them laugh. Children were at ease with him, treating him as an honorary grandfather. A pan-Africanist who wanted to educate every African child, Mazamisa believed in the unity of Africans on the continent and abroad.His sense of social justice led him to call for academic transformation at UCT and at South African universities generally. He was among the faith leaders who, in 2012, called for "deep change" to resolve the country's education crisis; and was also among those who supported the #FeesMustFall movement last year.Mazamisa was a leader and founder member of the National Religious Association for Social Development, launched in 1997 to advance the formation of a just and equitable society.In 2014, he served on the mediation team negotiating between miners and mining companies during the platinum strike. At the time of his death, he was a board member of the Ecumenical Foundation of Southern Africa.Mazamisa lived his convictions, from encouraging the Congolese car guards at his local supermarket to follow their dreams and study, to listening to the homeless. His daughter recounts how "a quick trip" to the local shop at 9pm once turned into a detour to Mitchells Plain when Mazamisa gave a lift to a man who was carrying his little daughter, because they had missed their bus.A writer and bibliophile, Mazamisa appreciated poetry and literature. His favourite author was Charles Dickens.He was fluent in 11 languages, including Xhosa, Tswana, Afrikaans and German.He died of cancer at Helderberg Hospice in Somerset West. He is survived by his wife, Lulu; his children, Phumla, Palesa and Njongo; and four grandchildren.1942-2015..