About
Dr Kapp is a South African Religion Studies scholar, public intellectual, and human-rights advocate specialising in comparative religion, esotericism, digital religion, politics, Alternative Intelligence, and conspirituality – affiliated with the Desmond Tutu (SARCHI) Chair in Religion and Social Justice at the University of the Western Cape, Faculty of Arts and Humanities that is jointly supported by the Lund Mission Society and the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant number: 118854). His work is driven by a commitment to justice, public scholarship, and the democratisation of knowledge. He is a contributor to the Database of Religious History, hosted by the University of British Columbia. He also serves on the advisory board for an international project on New Religious Movements, alogside renowned scholars in the field like Dr Eileen Barker (Inform UK) & Dr David Robertson (The Open University), titled New Religiosity and the Digital Study of Eudaimonia; funded by the John Templeton Foundation (Grant number: #63357) and led by co-principal investigators, professors Stephen Christopher and Suzanne Newcombe.<br><br>Kapp holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religion Studies (Ph.D.), Master of Divinity (MDiv.) and Bachelor of Divinity (BDiv.) Theology from the University of Pretoria, Facultyof Theology and Religion; in which his research explored post-theistic spirituality, dogmatic and historical theology, sexuality, Western esotericism, decoloniality, philosophy, and conspirituality in Western, Eastern, and African religions. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal for the Study of Religion (JSR) and a member of the Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa (ASRSA). His scholarship and advocacy frequently engages the intersections of civil religion, culture, and politics in South Africa. His research has featured internationally in France (École Pratique des Hautes Études & Institut des Mondes Africains), Ireland (University College Cork), United Kingdom (King's College London), South Africa (University of South Africa & University of the Western Cape), Pakistan (Islamia University of Bahawalpur), the Czech Republic (University of Masaryk), Peru (Universidad del Pacífico), and North America (Correllian Community Church) at the first international Pagan World Congress. His expertise has also featured on the Rejected Religion Podcast, affiliated with the Centre for the History of Hermeticism and Related Currents (University of Amsterdam) and the Research Network for the Study of Esoteric Practices (RENSEP), where he discusses esotericism, secular identities, sexuality and digital spirituality in South Africa.<br><br>Kapp is also a vehement public scholar and digital nomad; striving for the democratisation of knowledge, combatting disinformation, anti-intellectualism and therefore is an established online commentator with followers across TikTok, Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. His expertise has appeared on South African television (SABC & VIATV), radio (PowerFM, Cape Talk, and Radio 702), as well as in prominent News Media outlets; IOL, Daily Maverick, Maroela Media, Ontlaer, Rapport (Netwerk24) and News24, including a variety of podcasts. As spokesperson, community paralegal, and inter-faith officer for the South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA), Kapp leads public grassroots advocacy on religious freedom, LGBTQI+ rights, and social justice in South Africa, supported by his experience in mediation, dispute resolution, and policy research.
See more
Work
University of the Western Cape (UWC)
SARChI Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Universiteit van die Lewe (UvdL)
Lecturer, Researcher, Journalist
House Mazibuko Institute (HMI), House Mazibuko Foundation
Senior Research Fellow
Journal for the Study of Religion in South Africa (JSR)
Associate Editor
Multi-Disciplinary Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Journal Peer-Reviewer (Volunteer): Humanities, Philosophies, Religions
South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA)
Interfaith Officer and Spokesperson (Media Liaison)
University of Pretoria (UP), Faculty of Theology & Religion
Associate Researcher, Department Religion Studies
Alterity Counselling
Consultant & Counsellor (Self-Employed Entrepreneur)
Dr Tristán Kapp, PhD (Public Scholarship)
Influencer, Public Scholar, Media Personality, Blogger
See more
Education
Biblical and Religious Studies, Comparative Religion
University of Pretoria (UP), Faculty of Theology & Religion
Systematic and Historical Theology
University of Pretoria (UP), Faculty of Theology & Religion
Dogmatics and Christian Ethics
University of Pretoria (UP) Faculty of Theology & Religion
General Studies
Hoërskool Eldoraigne (Secondary/High School)
See more
Publications
"The Devil Made Me Do It" Electus Per Deus And Quasi-Occult Crime In South Africa
Religion Compass
The Afrikaner Witch’s Touch: Boererate as “Bushveld Magic” – Afrikaans Occultists, The Witchcraft Suppression Act, and Esoteric Religion in South Africa
ResearchGate
Algorithmic Jihad: Anāshīd Waṭanīya as Digital Political Theology and Global Symbolic Protest Against Palestinian Genocide
2nd International Conference on World Religions and Interfaith Harmony (ICWRIH), Islamia University of Bahawalpur
The Afrikaner witch: oscillating between Paganism, “boererate”, and the ‘Witchcraft Suppression Act’ in South Africa
Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) International Conference
The Afrikaner “Exodus”: MAGA Conspirituality, Digital Religion and Religious Nationalism on South African Social Media
Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa (ASRSA) 46th Annual Congress
Big Religion and ‘Prophets for Profit’: Whiteness in South African Megachurches, Prosperity Theology, and Economic Inequity
APA American Philosophical Association (PhilArchive)
"The Devil Made Me Do It" Electus Per Deus And Quasi-Occult Crime In South Africa
45th ASRSA Conference, University of KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa's Occult Crimes Unit: How Apartheid shaped South African attitudes toward Paganism and the Occult
UWC, EPHE, IMAF, IFAS Workshop
Secret self-knowledge: considering sex magick as post-theistic spirituality in Eastern, Western, and African Esotericism
University of Pretoria
Satan speaks: Satanism and the post-apartheid scare of 'the other' in a Christian hegemonic South Africa
SAPRA Heritage Month Seminar
The 'Satanic Panic': exploring the influence of film in formulating narratives surrounding the lived religion of the Occult and its practitioners
RASWE Conference, Masaryk University
Spiritual Sexuality: Towards a holistic and a-ecclesial sexual ethic
University of Pretoria
The Sexual Renaissance: A theological-ethical review of the Biblical ethics concerning premarital sex and its relevance for contemporary society
University of Pretoria
See more
Projects
New Religiosity and the Digital Study of Eudaimonia (John Templeton Foundation Grant #63357)
Advised on a significant international research project focusing on new religious movements in South Africa, digital religiosity, and eudaimonia.
See more
Volunteer
Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), NPO
·Friend
Supporting the mission of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in fostering peace and equity in South Africa.
The Conversation (Africa)
·Contributor/Author
Translating academic research into accessible articles for public consumption, enhancing public understanding of critical African issues.
South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA), NPC/PBO
·Paralegal, Spokesperson & Interfaith Officer, Executive Committee
Spearheading grassroots advocacy and legal support, Dr. Kapp champions religious freedom and human rights for marginalized communities at SAPRA.
See more
Languages
English
Afrikaans
Dutch
French
See more
Certificates
Writing Effective Titles, Keywords, and Abstracts: First Impressions That Determine Readership
Global Research Institute and Training Center (GRIT)
Certificate of Achievement
Global Research Institute & Training Center (GRIT)
Media Literacy & Fact Checking
Legit.ng
How to Talk About Sex with a Child with Disabilities
Logopsycom
UP Ready for Work Programme Package 1-4
University of Pretoria
Violin Performance (2x A+ at Pretoria Eisteddfod)
Pretoria Eisteddfod
Conference Keynote Speaker (1st International Harmony Summit / 2nd International Conference on World Religions and Interfaith Harmony)
Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB)
Colloquium Keynote Speaker (Contested Spiritualities: Redefining the Sacred in the Global South)
Universidad del Pacífico (PE)
Sixth Annual Emerging and Established African Researchers Training Academy
Human Sciences Research Council
South African Mental Health Conference Attendance
South African Mental Health Conference
Lifetime Golden Key Member
Golden Key International Honour Society (University of Pretoria Chapter)
See more
Skills
Research & Scholarship
Qualitative Research, Ethnography, Discourse Analysis, Algorithmic Analysis, Interdisciplinary Research, Religion Studies, Esotericism, Digital Humanities, Politics, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Human Rights Research, Peer-Reviewed Publishing, International Conference Presentations
Academic & Public Communication
Scholarly Communication, Public Speaking, Media Engagement, Television Appearances, Radio Interviews, Podcast Contributions, Policy Communication, Public Scholarship, Content Translation
Advocacy & Legal Support
Human Rights Advocacy, Religious Freedom Advocacy, Grassroots Advocacy, Paralegal Skills, Mediation, Dispute Resolution, Legal Drafting, Policy Research, Interfaith Coalition Building
Leadership & Collaboration
Project Leadership, Supervision, Mentoring, Stakeholder Engagement, Intercultural Dialogue, Workshop Facilitation, Interfaith Discussion Leadership, Team Collaboration, Social Media Management (ASRSA)
Digital Media & Thought Leadership
Digital Content Strategy, Audience Growth, Social Media Management, TikTok (24K+ followers), LinkedIn, Facebook (6.1K+ followers), Instagram (1.9K+ followers), Blogging, Public Commentary
Interpersonal & Transferable Skills
Verbal Communication, Written Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Inclusivity, Cross-Cultural Adaptability, Creative Problem Solving, Adaptability, Pressure Management
Professional Memberships
Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa (ASRSA), Interdisciplinary Network of Pagan Studies (INOPS), European Network for the Study of Islam and Esotericism (ENSIE), International Science Reserve (ISR), International Federation for World Peace and Harmony (IFWPH), Research Data Alliance (RDA), African Scientists Directory (ASD), Global Research Institute and Training Center (GRIT)
See more
Interests
Academic Interests
Comparative Religion, Esotericism, Digital Religion, Politics of Religion, Conspirituality, New Media Studies, Artificial Intelligence Ethics, Human Rights, Social Justice, Decoloniality, Post-Theistic Spirituality, Sexuality Studies
See more
References
Mr Damon Leff
Director of Legal Services, South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA). Contact details available upon request.
Prof Johannes Cronjé
Emeritus Professor of Information Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Contact details available upon request.
Prof Jaco Beyers
H.O.D. Dept. Religion Studies, Deputy Dean, Teaching & Learning, Faculty of Theology & Religion, University of Pretoria (UP). Contact details available upon request.
Ms Cathy Sandis
Head: Student Administration, University of Pretoria (UP). Contact details available upon request.
Prof Johan Strijdom
Professor Dept. Religion Studies and Arabic, University of South Africa (UNISA). Contact details available upon request.
Prof Lee-Shae Salma Scharnick-Udemans
Professor Dept. of Religious Studies, Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, University of the Western Cape (UWC). Contact details available upon request.
Prof Sarojini Nadar
SARChI Research Chair, Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, University of the Western Cape (UWC). Contact details available upon request.
See more
Awards
Certificate of Recognition - Writing Effective Titles, Keywords, and Abstracts: First Impressions That Determine Readership
𝐃𝐫. 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐩 (𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚) – A Religion Studies scholar, public intellectual, and human-rights advocate specialising in comparative religion, esotericism, digital religion, politics, and conspirituality. He holds a PhD in Religion Studies, along with a Master's and Bachelor's of Divinity from the University of Pretoria, where his research explored post-theistic spirituality, sexuality, decoloniality, and algorithmic conspirituality.
Certificate of Participation, ‘Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters’
Are some questions too dangerous to ask? What happens to scholars and students who ask those questions? How can you contribute to strengthening core higher education values, such as academic freedom? These are among the questions discussed in “Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters,” a free online course created by the Academic Refuge project.
Certificate of Completion (Media Literacy & Fact Checking)
Join Free Fact-Checking Course by Legit.ng Available on all platforms. Self-paced. A Cup-of-Coffee Long.
Certificate of Achievement (Membership)
GRIT operates chapters across six major global regions, connecting researchers, practitioners, and sustainability leaders. Experts worldwide collaborate through joint publication opportunities, discussions, online webinars, technical seminars, and thematic working groups. Becoming a member of any regional chapter is completely free. Members gain access to global networks, research support, and professional development activities.
Certificate of Presentation, Conference Keynote Speaker
1st International Harmony Summit / 2nd International Conference on World Religions and Interfaith Harmony, The Role of Religions in Conflict Management: A Global Interfaith Perspective
Certificate of Presentation, Colloquium Keynote Speaker
Colloquium Keynote Speaker, Contested Spiritualities: Redefining the Sacred in the Global South. Presentation: The Afrikaner “Exodus”: MAGA Conspirituality, Digital Religion and Religious Nationalism on South African Social Media”
Certificate of Participation: 6th Annual Emerging and Established African Researchers Training Academy
The 6th Annual Emerging and Established African Researchers Training Academy represents a collaborative effort between the HSRC, University of Pretoria (UP), University of Zululand (UNIZULU), and Sol Plaatje University (SPU), bringing together a wealth of expertise to support growth as a researcher. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in scholarly work across all disciplines, researchers are facing unprecedented opportunities alongside complex challenges that require thoughtful navigation. This paradigmatic shift is reshaping how knowledge is generated, analysed, and communicated, fundamentally transforming every stage of the research process.
Certificate of Participation, How to Talk About Sex with a Child with Disabilities
Online Webinar which aims to promote cooperation and exchange of experiences and good practices in the field of social inclusion and sexuality education for parents of persons with disabilities.
Golden Key Membership: University of Pretoria Chapter
The world’s largest collegiate honour society. Membership into the Society is by invitation only and applies to the top 15% of college and university sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as top-performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on their academic achievements. Golden Key has chapters at over 400 colleges and universities in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States.
See more