During the seventy's they were classmates in the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University (SU) and today they are leading international theological organisations.

Proffs Johann Cook of the Department of Ancient Studies and Johan Cilliers of the Discipline Group Practical Theology and Missiology at SU graduated together in 1979 and today they are the presidents of the International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament (IOSOT) - the biggest Old Testament organisation in the world - and Societas Homelitica respectively. ​​Cook was elected in 2013 and Cilliers in 2014. Their terms end this year.

At the recent Societas Homelitica conference in Stellenbosch, which was held in Africa for the first time, Cilliers delivered the presidential address. Cook will do the same at the IOSOT conference to be held at SU from 4-9 September. Cook was instrumental in bringing the conference to Africa for the first time. It will only be the second time that the conference will take place outside of Europe.

Both Cook and Cilliers say they enjoy working with colleagues from all over the world. They add that it is an honour to lead their respective organisations.

Cilliers says he is fortunate to have a capable team helping him deal with the administrative challenges of his position.

Prof Louis Jonker, from the discipline group Old and New Testament in the Faculty of Theology, will serve as conference secretary of IOSOT 2016.

• Photo: Proff Johann Cook (left) and Johan Cilliers