The University of Pretoria (UP) has awarded veteran journalist Cornelius Johannes (Neels) Jackson (64) the Chancellor’s Medal in recognition of his lifelong commitment to telling the evolving story of church and faith in South Africa.

The medal was conferred at the Faculty of Theology and Religion graduation ceremony on 8 May, as part of UP’s Autumn 2025 Graduation season (2 to 29 May), during which more than 12 000 students will graduate. 

For more than two decades, Jackson has offered readers clear, thoughtful reporting on matters of faith, capturing how churches and the communities they serve have navigated moments of change and reflection.

Jackson worked at the newspaper Beeld for more than 23 years, where he became known for his careful, insightful coverage of church and religious affairs. His reporting went beyond institutional decisions, tracing how developments within the Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk) shaped people’s lives and faith practices. Later, as editor of Kerkbode, the NG Kerk’s official newspaper, he offered measured commentary on the church’s internal debates and its place in a transforming South African society.

The Chancellor’s Medal honours not only a distinguished career in journalism but also a steady dedication to capturing the complex relationship between faith, society and change, and doing so with clarity, fairness and humanity. UP is proud to recognise an impactful member of society who grew up in Pretoria. Jackson matriculated at Hoërskool Oos-Moot and studied at UP, earning a BA Honours degree in Afrikaans (cum laude). After teaching for three years he transitioned to journalism, becoming a well-known reporter on church affairs at Beeld.

“I made my career on reporting on churches and theologies, and it was often difficult,” Jackson said. “I sometimes felt like churches and theologians do not understand journalism. And back at the office I sometimes felt like journalists do not understand the church or faith or theology. That lack of understanding from some of my colleagues and bosses at the newspaper increased as secularisation of our society increased.

“That is an important reason why I am so thankful for the award that I receive today. It means someone… more than someone – an institution with the gravitas of the University of Pretoria – understands and appreciates what I tried to do through my career. Thank you very much for that.”

Reflecting on his profession, he added: “Even though sometimes I felt like the two worlds in which I worked did not always understand each other – journalism on the one hand and theology on the other hand, and other academic disciplines – they have much in common. From both sides, we observe aspects of the world, we try to interpret those observations, and we report on them.

“The difference is that journalism is much messier than other academic endeavours. We work against very strict deadlines, which means sometimes you have to tell a story before you really had the time to digest it yourself. Academics have way more time to weigh their thoughts, to pick their words, and to tidy up what they write. The standards for perfection are much higher. And yet, in their different ways, both try to facilitate understanding. They try to bring clarity of thought to society.”

He concluded: “It is precisely at that point where both these pursuits are in trouble. Because we come up against the keyboard warrior. People without any credentials or facts can trash the hard work of academics and journalists. We are exposed to conspiracy theories and attitudes like, ‘Everybody can decide for him or herself what to do with these.’

“I wish I had answers for academics and journalists, but unfortunately I do not. This is the challenge we face, against which we should carry on as best as we can with the noble pursuit of academic work and thoughtful journalism. And then we must trust that good will prevail. Isn’t that trust that good will prevail what good theology teaches us? As we say in some churches, ‘God is great, all the time. All the time, God is great.’”

His book, Drie dekades van verandering – Die NG Kerk se pad na verruiming (Three Decades of Change – The Dutch Reformed Church’s Path to Broadening), is a notable contribution that documents the NG Kerk’s journey through years of social and theological transition. It reflects both his journalistic skill and his deep institutional knowledge.

Even in retirement, Jackson has remained active as a freelance writer, regularly offering insightful commentary on developments within the NG Kerk. He is highly regarded for his ability to frame church matters within the wider context of South African society. He has authored five books, the most recent of which examines how the Dutch Reformed Church has adapted and transformed over the three decades from 1990 to 2020, drawing on his extensive journalistic observations.

Beyond journalism, Jackson has represented the former Northern Transvaal as a senior-level chess player. He is also an enthusiastic amateur photographer and a poet. He and his wife, Louise, have shared more than 40 years of marriage and are the proud parents of two adult daughters, Christi and Riana Jackson.