YEARLY
B IO G R A P H Y
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M r . N E L A N I J O R D A N N O B A D U L A , b o r n in 1 8 4 4 , at T a n d je s b e r g , G r a a f f R e in e t . H i s f a t h e r was a servant to a D u t c h fa r m e r . N e l a n i a tte n d e d a c o u n t r y s ch o o l w h e r e h e was tau g h t t o read a n d w r it e . L a te r h e w e n t t o East L o n d o n an d was e m p l o y e d b y a c a rp e n te r. A ls o a tt e n d e d n i g h t -s c h o o l. W h e n h e l e f t East L o n d o n i h e h a d r e a c h e d S ta n d a rd I I I . besides b e i n g a g o o d c a r p e n te r . In 1 8 7 6 he w e n t to St. M a r k ’ s In s titu tio n f o r f u r t h e r e d u c a t i o n . T h e X o sa W a r bro k e o u t d u r i n g 18 7 7 an d h e was o b l i g e d t o le a v e sch ool. A f t e r pea ce was d e c la r e d h e was a p p o in t e d te a ch e r a n d catechist o f the A n g l ic a n C h u r c h to w h i c h h e h a d b e c o m e a t t a c h e d . In 18 8 2 h e was sent to St. J o h n ’ s C o l l e g e to s tu d y t h e o lo g y . D u r i n g sch o o l hours h e was at s ch o o l, a n d in t h e a f t e r n o o n s an d e v e n in g s he a t t e n d e d th e T h e o l o g i c a l Classes. O r d a i n e d in 1 8 8 7 as priest an d a p p o in t e d to M o u n t F r e r e w h e r e h e w o r k e d all his l i f e . D i e d in 1 9 2 0 . E stablished the H e b e h e b e , U n y i k a , G q o g q o r a , S ik o b e n i, N q a d u , X a b a n e a n d T o w e r U n y ik a A n g l ic a n Stations in th e U m t a ta an d St. C u t h b e r t ’ s D io c e s e s . H e d i d m u c h m ission a ry w o r k a m o n g th e Bacas an d the P o n d o s at M o u n t F r e r e . H i s six sons a n d t h r e e da u gh ters are w e ll e d u ca te d . H e h a d m u c h in flu e n c e o v e r c h i e f s a n d h e a th e n p e o p le .
M r . J O H N N O G A G A , w h o was b o r n in the C a p e P r o v i n c e , W ent to th e T ra n sv a a l a n u m b e r o f years ag o. H e becam e e m p lo y e d b y the C r o w n M i n e s , L t d . , as clerk, a fte r w a r d s b e c o m i n g c h i e f clerk. H e was a p r o m i n e n t fig u re o n th e W it w a t e r s r a n d , a n d to o k a keen interest in sports, a n d has d o n a t e d several cu p s fo r c o m p e t i t i o n in crick e t. M r . N o g a g a , w h o se fa t h e r was v e r y w e a lth y , l e f t all his p r o p e r t y to his eldest son, bu t M r . N o g a g a w o r k e d his w a y until h e , t o o , b e c a m e w e l l - t o - d o . H e d i e d in 1 9 3 0 in J o h a n n e s b u r g .
M r . S I M O N M A J A K A T H E T A P H A M O T S E was b o r n in B asutoland an d e d u c a te d at M o r i j a a n d L o v e d a le . B e c a m e p o st master at M a h a le s h o e k . A f t e r th e A n g l o - B o e r W a r h e c a m e to th e I ransvaal w it h Sir G o d f r e y L a g d e n a n d j o i n e d the N a t i v e A f f a ir s d e p a r t m e n t , P ie te rs b u rg , u n d e r M r . C . A . W h e e l w r i g h t . A fte r r e s ig n in g his p o s it io n , he was in stru m e n ta l in establishin g t h e first A fr ic a n n e w sp a p e r in the T ra n s v a a l k n o w n as T h e N a t i v e E y e . A f t e r som e years M r . P h a m o ts e r e tu rn e d to Basutoland an d b e c a m e secre tary to th e late C h i e f J o h n a t h a n w h o s e d a u g h te r h e a fte r w a r d s m a r rie d . M r . P h a m otse was a v e r y pro g re ssiv e m a n , an d d i d m u c h f o r B asutoland. T h e Basutos a c k n o w le d g e d h i m as b e i n g t h e ir f o r e most le a d e r . H e was re sp e cte d b y b o t h black an d w h it e . H a tin g ■ujustice an d ty r a n n y he d i d n o t hesitate to c o n d e m n c h i e f s w h a dealt a rbitrarily w it h th e ir su b je cts . W as a lov er o f A fr ic a n lib e rty t h r o u g h o u t the c o u n t r y , esp e cia lly in B asutoland. 79
D
B IO G R A P H Y
TH E
80
AFRICAN
YEARLY
B IO G R A P H Y
REGISTER
Rev. A R T H U R
Rev.
A rth u r
G.
N yovane
G. NYOVANE.
was e d u ca te d
and w e n t to St. C o lu m b u s as a C atech ist.
at
St. J o h n ’ s C o l l e g e
W o r k e d at St. C o lu m b u s
and C a p e to w n un til his o r d in a t io n as a d e a c o n .
W e n t to K i m b e r l e y
and w o r k e d f o r a n u m b e r o f years at the H o l y Cross an d St. P a u l’ s M issions. and
As a stu den t o f D i v i n i t y he was versed in G r e e k , L a t in
H ebrew .
T ra n s la te d som e books an d took a keen
politics an d h isto ry.
A
interest in
h a rd w o r k e r an d an hon est an d straight
fo r w a r d m a n , an d was also a v e r y g o o d speaker.
M r . N y o v a n e w as
v e r y p r o m in e n t a m o n g his p e o p le , w h o resp ected h i m
very m u ch .
H e took a keen interest in the e d u c a tio n o f the y o u n g p e o p le . was
a
good
m e e tin g s
speaker
and
was
o ften
in v it e d
to
speak
at
He
p u b li c
F o n d o f sport and was a fine tennis player, an d p r e s id e n t
o f the D u k e o f W 'e llin g t o n C r ic k e t C lu b at K im b e r le y . a v e r y fine m usician.
W a s also
H e d ie d in the D io c e s e o f G e o r g e w h e r e h e
w o r k e d a m o n g the natives.
81
D-II
THE
B IO G R A P H Y
AFRICAN
C H I E F K G O R I K G A M A N Y A N E P I L A N E , son o f th e B akgatla C h i e f , K g a m a n y a n e , son o f P ila n e , a f t e r w h o m th e P ila n s b e r g , i n R u s t e n b u r g D i s t r i c t , was c a ll e d , was. t h e y o u n g e r b r o t h e r o f th e la te P a r a m o u n t C h i e f L e n c h u e P ila n e o f t h e B a k g a t la - b a - K g a f e la s e c t i o n w h o s e c a p ita l is M o c h u d i in t h e B e c h u a n a la n d P r o t e c t o r a t e , w h e r e t h e y s e ttle d in 1 8 7 0 , l e a v i n g a b o u t h a l f t h e t r ib e at P ila n s B e r g in t h e T r a n s v a a l. C h i e f K . K . P ila n e w as, f o r m a n y yea rs, t r e a s u r e r o f t h e T r a n s v a a l A f r i c a n C o n g r e s s , a n d la ter T r e a s u r e r C eneral
of
the
■very im p o r t a n t
A frica n
p a rt in
N a tion a l
t h e affairs o f
C ongress. th e
A f r ic a n s ,
He
p layed
C h ie f
a
P ila n e
w a s also a d e a le r in h id e s a n d skins a n d s o f t g o o d s in t h e R u s t e n Jburg D is t r ic t . H e h a d m a n y f r i e n d s a m o n g E u r o p e a n s in t h e T ra n s v a a l, B ech u an alan d and R h od esia . W a s a p a t r io t , a f r i e n d o f h is p e o p l e , a lo y a l a n d h o n e s t o ffice r o f t h e greatest N o n - E u r o p e a n p o l it ic a l o r g a n is a t io n in S o u t h A f r i c a . T h o u g h he had m u c h i n f l u e n c e o v e r his p e o p l e h e c e r t a i n ly was n o t a speaker. H e d ied I n R u s t e n b u r g o n th e 8 t h S e p t e m b e r , and
his b o d y
w as taken
1 9 3 0 , at th e a g e o f 5 9 yea rs,
t o S a u lsp o o rt w h e r e
it was b u r i e d .
Had
o n e son w h o is a c le r k at R e d H i l l , N a ta l. C h i e f P ila n e was v e r y i f o n d o f h u n t i n g a n d was o n e o f th e best m a r k s m e n o f his t r ib e .
IVIr. N G C U B U P O S W A Y O , son o f K i l ili P o s w a y o . B o r n in 1880. S ta rte d his e d u c a t i o n at t h e m is s io n s c h o o l o f A ll Saints, i n t h e T r a n s k e i , a f t e r w a r d s at St. J o h n ’ s C o l l e g e , U m t a t a , a n d Z o n n e b lo c m , C a p etow n . L e a v i n g C a p e t o w n he w e n t t o E n g l a n d f o r h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n . A f t e r p a ssin g several e x a m in a t io n s , h e d e c i d e d t o take u p th e le g a l p r o f e s s i o n , a n d w e n t to L i n c o l n ’ s I n n t o r e a d la w . H e s t u d i e d f o r f o u r years w h e n h e q u a li fie d as a B a r r is te r a t-L a w . R e t u r n i n g t o S o u th A f r i c a he d e c i d e d t o p r a c t ic e as a •solicitor o f th e S u p r e m e C o u r t . H e w en t to E n g c o b o w h ere he o p e n e d an o ffice . I n a s h o r t t im e h e was a v e r y b u sy m a n , a n d his p r a c t ic e in cr e a s e d e v e r y d a y . W h i l e at th e h e i g h t o f his p r o f e s s i o n his h e a lth f a i l e d h i m . H e c a m e to J o h a n n e s b u r g H o s p i t a l f o r an o p e r a t i o n , b u t this d i d n o t h e l p h i m a n d he d i e d at th e e a r ly a g e o f 4 6 years. M r . P o s w a y o w a s v e r y p o p u la r in th e C a p e . V ery m o d e s t , h e w as li k e d a n d r e s p e c t e d b y E u r o p e a n s a n d n a tives alike. A k e e n s p o r ts m a n an d a v e r y r e lig io u s m a n . H e had a h u m a n h e a rt; h e was a f r i e n d o f all a n d assisted m a n y o f th e p o o r e r n a tiv e s p r o f e s s i o n a l l y w i t h o u t asking f o r th e usual f e e . H e b e l i e v e d in h a r d w o r k , a n d was o f t e n seen p l o u g h i n g in th e fields. M r . Posw ayo w a s t h e f o u r t h A f r i c a n b a rriste r t o q u a l i f y in E n g l a n d . 82
yEARLY
B IO G R A P H Y
REGISTER
M r . P H I L I P D A N I S O P O S W A Y O , born in 1 8 6 4 . G r a h a m s t o w n w h e re he qualified as a teacher.
E d u ca te d at
H e liv e d at E n g c o b o ,
1 8 0 miles f r o m G r a h a m s to w n , and travelled on f o o t to school. "On o n e occasion he e n c o u n te r e d a lion w h ile p r o c e e d in g to school, -and s u m m o n in g
all
his cou rage
a p p e a r e d in to a bush. ■some tim e D ie d
in
on
and
the
lio n
dis
A ft e r teach in g at A ll Saint’ s Institution f o r
he resigned
G o u r t in E n g c o b o .
he w alked
A
to b e c o m e
interpreter
at the
m e m b e r o f the T ra n sk ei
M a gistra te ’ s
G e n e ra l C o u n c il.
1908.
R e v . C . P A M L A was one o f the first native ministers o f the W e s le y a n M e t h o d is t C h u r c h in South A f r ic a . H e b e lo n g e d to the .great H l u b i clan, and was born in the C ape P ro v in ce .
H e was c o n
ve rte d w h ile o n ly a b o y , b e in g u n d er various E u rop ea n missionaries f r o m w h o m he re ce ive d his e d u ca tio n .
H e began to preach and
later j o i n e d the m in istry o f the W esleyan M e t h o d is t C h u r c h , taking g r e a t interest in his w ork. H e was a v e r y p o w e r fu l preacher and soon becam e o n e o f the outstand ing ministers in the C a p e P r o v in c e . W a s h ig h ly respected b y b o th E uropeans and A fr ic a n s . D u r in g his m in istry he c o n v e r te d thousands o f natives, m a n y o f w h o m are to-da y m inisters an d le a d in g c h u r c h m e n in the various d e n o m in a tio n s. H e was the fa th er o f a n u m b e r o f ch ild r e n and to all he gave a g o o d edu ca tion . H is sons Charles and G e o r g e , o n e a m in ister an d the o th er a court interpreter and clerk, are w ell k n o w n th r o u g h o u t the C a p e P ro v in ce . 'T h e late R e v . Pamla was a fine exa m ple o f w hat a g o o d C hristian should be. H is w o n d e r f u l sermons still lin g e r in the m inds o f m any w h o had the p riv ile g e to listen to him prea ch in g.
M r.
J.
PANYANE,
a M s u tu , was b o r n
l*e re ce iv e d his early e d u ca tion .
in
Basutoland w h e r e
Later he w e n t to K im b e r le y and
Join ed the C iv il Service in the Post Office D e p a rtm e n t. H e was a g o o d sportsman and soon becam e very popular. H e had a large c 'rcle o f friends and was respected by all w h o knew h im . m any years he retired and m o v e d Established a v e r y successful business. fa d in g
m en o f
that city.
^ f t w o sons and a daugh ter.
He
to B lo e m fo n t e in w h e r e he H e soon becam e o n e o f the
was m arried
and was the
H e d ie d at B lo e m fo n t e in . S3
A fter
fa th e r
B IO G R A P H Y
THE
A F R IC A N
T H E R I G H T R E V . B IS H O P P H IL L I P S , D . D . , was a n a tiv e o f W e s t A f r i c a . H e was e d u c a t e d in W e s t A f r i c a a n d E urope. A fte r som e tim e he took H o l y O r d e r s , a n d t h r o u g h his g o o d w o r k , his a b ilit y , his e x p e r i e n c e a n d i n f l u e n c e h e s o o n b e c a m e b is h o p . H e w as m u c h r e s p e c t e d b y his p e o p l e a n d b y E u r o pea n s w h o c a m e i n c o n t a c t w i t h h i m . B is h o p P h illip s w as a k in d -h ea rted , C h r is t ia n g e n t l e m a n . H e was v e r y p r o gre ssive a n d d i d m u c h to h e l p his p e o p l e . M r . M A R K R A D E B E , S n r ., w as b o r n in P ie t e r m a r i t z b u r g , N a t a l , a n d e d u c a t e d at L o v e d a l c I n s t it u t io n . O n c o m p l e t i n g his e d u c a t i o n h e r e t u r n e d t o N a ta l a n d b e c a m e a c le rk a n d s h o p assistant in t h e o u t f i t t i n g a n d d r a p e r y store o f M e ss rs . I r e l a n d a n d S o n . A fte r w o r k i n g f o r a n u m b e r o f years h e s e v e r e d his c o n n e c t i o n w i t h th is fir m a n d o p e n e d his o w n store as o u t f i t t e r a n d d r a p e r . L ater h e , t o g e t h e r w it h o th e r s , esta blish ed a n a tiv e n e w s p a p e r , u n d e r t h e n a m e I Te T a l o H l a n g a . It b e c a m e necessary t o d e v o t e all his a t t e n t io n t o t h e p r i n t i n g a n d p u b l i s h i n g o f this p a p e r , so h e s o ld h is store. A ll d i d n o t g o w e l l , a n d fin a n c ia l d ifficu ltie s f o r c e d t h e m t o close d o w n . H e b e c a m e c le r k to M r . J. I ) . S talker, a s o lic it o r , e t c ., at th e sa m e t im e o w n i n g t w o restaurants in P ie t e r m a r i t z b u r g . H e w as o n e o f t h e f o u n d e r s o f t h e N a ta l N a t i v e C o n g r e s s a n d was t w i c e a p p o i n t e d s e cre ta ry . H e to o k g r e a t in terest in c h u r c h m a tte rs , a n d , in a d d i t i o n to b e i n g a lo c a l p r e a c h e r , h e was c h o i r m aster a n d o r g a n is t o f t h e W e s l e y a n M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h in P i e t e r m a r i t z b u r g . H e had reached th e p r i m e o f his l i f e w h e n h e d i e d , b e i n g s u r v iv e d b y his w i f e a n d sons. M r . N D Z I M E N D E S K O T A , e ld e st son o f S o s h e b e S kota, a m e m b e r o f th e r o y a l f a m i l y o f t h e H l u b i T r i b e , w as b o r n in 1 8 4 8 , at E n c w a z i , in th e d is t r ic t o f K i n g w i l l i a m s t o w n . H i s m o t h e r w as t h e d a u g h t e r o f M s u m a s u m a a n d r e la t e d t o C h i e f M a t o m e l a . In his b o y h o o d N d z i m e n d e a t t e n d e d d a y - s c h o o l at his h o m e . W K en about 23 y e a rs o f age, h e w ent to P ort E liz a b e th w h ere h e sp en t a n u m b e r o f yea rs. H e r e t u r n e d t o h is h o m e t o g e t m a rried . H e was a p p o i n t e d an e v a n g e lis t a n d sen t t o H e r s c h e l w h ere he d id g o o d w ork. H e w’as a v e r y p o w e r f u l p r e a c h e r a n d la b o u r e d d i l i g e n t l y a m o n g his p e o p l e , a n d s o o n w o n h u n d r e d s o f t h e m t o C h r i s t i a n i t y , s o m e o f w h o m a rc, t o - d a y , m in is te r s in t h e W esle y a n C h u rc h . I n p r iv a te l i f e h e w as a q u ie t m a n , a g e n t l e m a n at h e a r t , a n d a tru e C h r is t ia n . H e d i e d in 1 9 2 9 at his h o m e in H e rsch e l. 84
Ne a r l y
r eg ister
B IO G R A P H Y
A h e H o n o r a b le S A M U E L A . R O S S was the P o stm a ste r-G e n e ra l ° f L ib e r ia , his native c o u n t r y . W a s o n e o f the m ost p r o m in e n t Citizens an d le a d in g statesmen o f that N e g r o R e p u b lic . M r . Ross had a b e a u t ifu l h o m e at S in o e and was a m an a great in flu e n ce , b e i n g h in d and f r ie n d ly to e v e r y b o d y . W a s in turn m u c h respected b y th e p e o p le o f W e s t A f r i c a in c l u d i n g the E u r o p e a n residents. He had ju s t re tu rn e d f r o m E u r o p e w it h his w i f e w h e n h e d ie d .
M r . P E T E R S I H L A K A H L A K A was b o r n about the year 1 8 5 6 at Em sapa, P . E . A . A t the age o f ten years he w it h f o u r o t h e r hoys w e r e k id n a p p e d b y a E u r o p e a n trader w h o gave th e m treacle. *They w e r e p u t in a d o n k e y cart and d r iv e n away. T h e y learnt later that th e ir destination was the D i a m o n d F ields. A t K im b e r le y th e y tvere p u t u p f o r sale, but as th e y w e r e so y o u n g the prices w e r e l o w , a n d the o ffe rs w e r e r e fu s e d . F r o m the D ia m o n d F elds th e y w e r e taken to U itcn h ag e. H ere P eter Sihlakahlaka was handed ° v er t o a m agistrate, M r . P h ilp o r t. T h e oth ers w e r e taken t o an U nknow n d estina tion. H e w o r k e d f o r his n e w master fo r som e tim e and o n the latter b e i n g t ra n s fe r re d , P eter Sihlakahlaka was h a n d e d ° v er to a R e v . S u rg e o n , w h o was a m in iste r 'n the W e s le y a n M e t h o d is t C hurch. W h e n R e v . S u rg e o n l e f t h e was h a n d e d o v e r to M r . P ittm an . A t this tim e h e was a f r e e m an. A t the age o f 30 years m a rrie d a girl f r o m U i t c n h a g e . T e n years later he w e n t to ^ e a l d t o w n fo r e d u c a tio n . H e r e h e r e m a in e d fo r five years, at the ^n d o f w h ic h he was a p p o in te d a la y p reacher. A f t e r som e tim e he a p p o in te d evangelist an d was sent to the district o f K in g w illia m s tow n. T h e pay was small an d in adequate to sup port his f a m i l y , so w e n t to the T ransvaal w h e r e h e w o r k e d as an evangelist f o r tvve n t y - f o u r years. H e d i e d at his h o m e in 1 9 3 1 .
R e v . S I M O N P. S I H L A L I was b o r n in 18 5 6 at H a n k e y , C a p e p ro v in ce . H i s parents w e r e Christians. H e a tte n d e d the H a n k e y ^ ay -s c h o o l, and later St. M a r k ’ s In stitu tio n . F r o m St. M a r k ’ s h e ''Vent to L o v e d a le an d in 1 8 8 0 h e m atricu lated . F o r a t im e he e m p lo y e d as a teach er but soon be ca m e a stu den t o f T h e o l o g y , and was o r d a in e d a m in iste r o f the I n d e p e n d e n t IfFree C h u r c h o f r^otlan d. D u r i n g his sch oolda ys M r . Sihlali was a b r ig h t scholar. serm ons---- m a n y o f t h e m p r e a c h e d to E u r o p e a n co n g r e g a tio n s ---o f t e n c o m m e n t e d u p o n b y the E u r o p e a n Press o f the C a p e . VVas a ve ry in dustrious m an an d e n c o u r a g e d im p r o v e m e n t s in agri culture, an d spent m a n y hours in the fields p l o u g h i n g a n d g a r d e n in g . *ais c h ild r e n are all e d u ca te d . R e v . Sihali d i e d p e a c e f u lly in 1 9 1 0 ** His h o m e in E n g c o b o , T e m b u l a n d . 85
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C H I E F S A N D I L I '. C h i e f Sandile, a son o f G aika, was b orn about 1 8 2 3 . G a ’ ka was a great f r i e n d o f the n e ig h b o u r in g D u tc h fa rm ers. A f t e r the F ir th o f Sandile som e o f these farmers paid h im a visit. O n b e in g i n f o r m e d o f the birth o f the y o u n g p r in c e and heir the farm ers w e r e v e r y pleased and suggested that he be g iv e n the nam e o f
87
B IO G R A P H Y
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CHIEF
SEBELE.
88
A F R IC A N
y e a r l y
B IO G R A P H Y
r e g is t e r
C H IE F
SEBELE.
C h i e f Sebele I. was the son o f Sechele I., head o f the Bakwena T r i b e , w hose co u n try e x te n d e d fr o m Bechuanaland to the T r a n s Vaal. H e was a kind and i ust m an. V e r y m u ch respected b y his p e o p le . H is appearance c o m m a n d e d respect. H e d id not c o u n tenance quarrels and disliked strife. H e was a f r ie n d o f the missionary o f the L o n d o n M ission a ry S ociety. T h e Bakwena and the Bangoakwctsi T r i b e s b e lo n g to the same stock. They o r ig in a lly cam e from L o e . T h e y are o f the same f a m i ly w ith the Basuto, Bahurutsi, Bam angoato and the Baphalanc. T h e s e peop le are n o w resident in various parts o f B echuanaland, Transvaal, O r a n g e F ree State, and Basutoland.
THE
B IO G R A P H Y
RKV. T I Y O SO G A .
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B IO G R A P H Y REV. T IY O
SOGA.
R e v . X i y o Soga, the first o f the A f r i c a n race in South A f r i c a t o b e c o m e an ord a in e d m inister o f the G o s p e l, was born in 1 8 2 9 y at G w a li, a station o f the G la s g o w M ission a ry Society in th e C h u m ie Valley, C ap e P rov in ce. H is fa th er was on e o f the c h i e f councillors o f Gaika. A p o ly gamist and husband o f eigh t w ives and a fa th er o f t h ir t y -n in e ch ild r e n , and personally a remarkable m an. X i y o ’ s m oth er was the p r in cip le w i f e o f Soga, and X i y o was h e r seventh ch ild . Soga was killed in the war o f 1 8 7 8 . H is w if e becam e a C hristian, and y o u n g X i y o began to attend school in the village, taught b y his eld er brother Festire. F ro m the village school he was sent to M r . W illia m Chalm ers w h o d iscovered that X i y o was a brigh t b o y . In 1 8 4 4 the U n it e d Presbyterian M ission sent h im to L o v e d ale. A t L o v e d a le he slow ly but surely crept to the head o f all his classes. A b o u t 1 8 4 6 he w en t to Scotland w it h M r . G o v a n , and c o n t in u e d his studies at In ch in n a n , and afterw ards at the G la s g o w F r e e C h u rc h N o r m a l Sem inary. H e returned to A f r i c a w ith the R e v . G e o r g e B ro w n . B ecam e an evangelist at Keiskama and at A m a to le , and later returned to Scotland w ith M r . N i v e n about 18 50. He en tered the G la s g o w U n iversity in 1 8 5 1 , and in 1 8 5 2 he began t o attend the X h e o lo g ic a l H a ll o f the U n it e d Presbyterian C h u r c h at E d in b u r g h . H e co m p le te d his course in 18 56, and on leaving, his fe llo w -stu d e n ts presented him w ith a valuable testimonial in books,, as a mark o f universal respect and esteem. H a v in g passed th e final exam inations, he was licen sed at the e n d o f that year b y th e U n it e d Presbyterian Presbytery o f G la s g o w to preach the G o s p e l. X h e fo l l o w i n g year he m arried M iss Janet Burnside in G la s g o w . X h is lady stood fa it h fu lly b y her h u n b a n d ’ s side th ro u gh all t h e difficulties o f his l i f e . X h e late R e v . X i y o Soga was the fa th e r o f f o u r sons and three daughters. H i s sons are w e ll k n ow n in S ou th A f r ic a . Xhey are D r . J o h n W illia m Soga, M .D ., C .M ., G la sg o w U n iv e rsity , and M r . A lle n Soga, also at G la s g o w University,, w h o at o n e tim e acted as Assistant M agistrate at St. M arks. Xhe y ou n gest son, M r . J. F . Soga, is a M . R . C . V . S . o f D ic k C olleg e. E d in b u r g h . X i y o Soga’ s eldest daughter d ie d in 1 8 8 0 . X h e s e co n d is engaged in mission w ork in the C a p e P rov in ce. X h e y ou n gest is a music teacher in G la s g o w , Scotland. X h e R ev. X i y o Soga retu rn ed to South A f r i c a in the year 185 7and p r o c e e d e d to P eelton , in the district o f K in g w illia m s to w n , a station o f the L o n d o n M ission a ry S ociety. L ater h e m o v e d t o E m g w a li, w h e re , along w ith the R e v . R . J o h n so n , w h o had b e e n a class-fellow in E d in b u r g h , he set about reorganising the g o o d w ork 'hat was broken b y the wars o f the previous years. R e v . S oga 91
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su c c e e d e d in co n v e r tin g a very large nu m b er o f his cou n trym en . T h e n cam e the task o f b u ild in g a ch urch. T o d o this he visited a n u m b er o f larger towns to collect fu n ds. H e had already preached t o m an y European congregations w ith great acceptance. In 18 60 h e received and accepted an invitation to an audience b y H . R . H . Prince A l f r e d , D u ke o f E d in b u rg h w h o was in C a p e to w n at the tim e. R ev. Soga travelled extensively in the C ap e P rov in ce and his work g r e w w o n d e r fu lly , but in 1 8 6 6 he had to cease w ork f o r a tim e on account o f ill-health. D u r in g his illness he co m p le te d his translation o f the P ilgrim 's Progress into Xosa. H e also com p osed a nu m b er o f hymns o f great m erit, in c lu d in g the famous L iza lis' id in ga lako (F ulfil T h y prom ise, O L o rd ). H e gradually becam e worse until he cou ld m ove about o n ly w ith the greatest difficulty. In 18 6 8 he rendered most valuable service as on e o f the Board fo r m e d f o r revising the Xosa B ib le , w h ic h was translated b y the R ev. W . A pp leyard. In 1 8 6 7 the R e v . T i y o Soga m o v e d f r o m E m gw ali to Somerville at the request o f the late C h i e f K reli and co n tin u e d there in spite o f all diffi culties to preach, organise and translate. In 1871 a change f o r the worse cam e about as a result o f gettin g th orou gh ly w e t w h ile visiting C h i e f Mapasa on mission w ork. H e d ie d on the 12th A ugust in the arms o f his f r ie n d , the R e v . R ich a rd Ross, at the age o f 42. T h e R e v . T i y o Soga was neither an enthusiast, a fanatic nor a b ig o t. H e was a true Christian, a thorough gentlem an, w h o died in the service o f his M aster. F rom the m any articles that appeared in the Press at the death o f the R e v . T i y o Soga, w e can on ly insert the f o l lo w in g tw o :— “ T h i s gentlem an— f o r in the true m ean in g o f the w o rd he was, to all intents and purposes, a p e r fe c t gentlem an was a pu reb orn Kaffir. H is fath er was, and still is, a co u n cillo r o f Sandile’ s tribe, and an avow ed heathen, in p oin t o f fact, a “ R e d Kaffir.” H i s son, h ow ever, as a y o u th , was sent to the M issionary Institution at L oved a le, and there distinguished h im s e lf so m uch by his keen in telligen ce and his ready aptitude f o r learning, that he was sent h o m e to G la sgow to prosecute and com p lete his studies at the U n i versity o f that place. H e w en t through the fu ll curriculum required in Scotland f r o m candidates fo r the ministry, and in due time was licen sed and ordained as a m inister-missionary o f the U n ite d Presbyterian C h u rch . As a preacher, he was eloquent in speech and keen in thought, and talked w ith a Scottish accent, as strong as i f h e had been born on the banks o f the C ly d e , instead o f those o f t h e C h u m ie . H e took a d eep interest in everyth in g calculated to advan ce the civilisation o f his co u n try m e n , and d id so w ith a 92
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breadth o f v ie w and w arm th o f sym pathy, in w h ic h m e re sec tarianism had n o part. A m o n g his a ccom p lish ed works w e m ay m e n tio n his translation o f the P ilg rim '$ P rogress in to Kaffir, w h ic h so h ig h an authority as M r . Charles B r o w n le e p ro n o u n ce s t o b e a. p e r f e c t m asterpiece o f easy id io m a tic w r it in g . H is services as o n e o f the B oard o f Revisers o f the translation o f the B ib le i n t o Kaffir have been invaluable, and w ill n o w be seriously missed. In general conversation and discussion on o r d in a r y topics he was o n e o f the most in telligen t an d best i n f o r m e d m e n w e ever k n e w ; and m a n y an h ou r have w e spent w ith h im , in w h ic h o n e utterly f o r g o t his nationality or his c o lo u r .” ■ ---- T h e C a f e A rgu s.
“ T h e Kaffir y o u th w h o six years b e f o r e l e f t the shores o f S ou th A f r i c a , little r e m o v e d above his C hristianised c o u n tr y m e n , havin g ju st as m u ch k n o w le d g e as fitted h im w ith efficiency to c o n d u c t x station sch ool, an d just as m u c h p o w e r ov e r the E n glish la n gu age as enabled him to be a tolerable in terpreter to the preacher y e t ign orant o f the Kaffir language, n o w returns to his native shores and p e o p le , t h o r o u g h ly e d u c a te d ; an o r d a in e d m inister o f the G o s p e l, an accred ited missionary o f the Cross, and w ith a k n o w le d g e o f and mastery o v e r the E nglish language w h ic h has o f t e n surprised those best capable o f ju d g i n g . A w o n d e r f u l transform ation has be e n w r o u g h t d u r in g these f e w years. In h im there com es a n e w p o w e r in to the C o lo n y and Kaffirland, i f the C o lo n y and Kaffirland o n ly recogn ise and receive it. T h e m ental grasp and the moral capability o f the Kaffir race are dem onstrated in h im . M e n can n ot despise the Kaffir race as th ey con tem p late h im . W it h o u t race-pattern o r p re ce d e n t, the first o f his p e o p le , o f t e n strangely alone, su rrou n d ed and pressed upon b y peculiar difficulties, he has m a n fu lly and success f u l l y w r o u g h t his w a y up to the com p aratively h igh level o f edu ca ted E nglish Christian l i f e ---- the c o n q u e re d has b e c o m e the c o n q u e ro r .
“ A n d h o w was the R e v . T i y o Soga re ce ive d w h e n he re tu rn e d to his native shores and p e o p le f Perhaps it was to be e x p e c te d that in the C o l o n y there should be m a n ife s te d a great am ount o f caution an d reserve, and that n o t a little suspicion should be e n terta in ed reg a rd in g h im . Perhaps, too, it was o n ly natural that, w ith so m e , special e n m it y should be aroused, and w o rd s o f strong in d ig n a tio n used. W e can excuse those m e n and w o m e n n o w w h o said w e had m ade h im specially to o r d e r in S cotland, and that he was the finest specim en ever im p o r te d o f h o m e edu cational c ra m m in g . T h is was a n e w t h in g u n der the South A f r ic a n sun. T h e th ie v in g Kaffir,, the m arau d in g Kaffir, the irreclaim able Kaffir, a U n iv e r s it y -e d u c a te d m issionary o f the Cross. T h i s was to o g o o d to be true. A t least m e n w o u ld wait and see. It was a m ere e x p e r im e n t, and t im e 93
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alone c o u ld tell h o w it w o u ld succeed. F e w w e n t to the len gth o f F oretellin g the tim e, near at h a n d , w h e n h e w o u ld have reverted to t h e red clay and blanket and all the heathen ways o f his p e o p le . “ But w h ile there was m u c h o f this reserve and caution e v e r y w h e r e , and not a little such d o u b t and suspicion, he was received b y all missionaries and b y all m inisters o f the G o s p e l— w ith o n e o r tw o p a in fu l e x ce p tio n s— w ith o p e n arms and w ith most jo y o u s hearts. F ro m o n e e n d o f the Eastern P ro v in c e to the o th er there w e r e o n ly a f e w so-called p r o fe s s in g Christians---- miserable specim ens purely o f the disciples o f the N a z a r e n c ---- w h o d id what thev c o u ld , b y in d ig n a n t w o r d and threat, to keep h im out o f the pulpits o f t h e churches to w h ic h they b e lo n g e d , and w h o absented themselves f r o m d iv in e service, because, despite th e m , he should c o n d u c t it. “ T o the fine sensitive disposition o f T i y o Soga, to his gen erou s m a n ly nature, all such m anifestations w e r e v e ry ga llin g, and v e ry difficult to bear. H e had strength o f m in d and he had charity and fo r e b e a ra n c e e n o u g h to rise above them , and w isd o m to make o f them n e w incentives to his li f e - w o r k . “ T h e colonists, gen era lly, soon cam e to k n o w h im . H e was w a t c h e d w ith ly n x -e y e s e v e r y w h e r e o n the fr o n t ie r . W henever h e p reach ed o r le ctu re d , or addressed, such criticisin g c ro w d s flocked t o hear h im as was the e x p e r ie n c e o f n o o th e r South A f r ic a n m is sio n a ry o f his day. N o b l y he stood this p u blic test. H e cam e out o f the fire, in p u b lic estim ation, pu rer and stronger than ever
M r . W . D . S O G A was born and e d u cated in the C ap e P ro v in c e . H e was related to the great T i v o Soga. M r. Soga took a keen interest in the p r o / gressive l i f e o f his p e o p le . H e was a p olitician and leader. W as a f o u n d e r and d ire c to r o f the a w e e k ly new spaper p r in te d and published in East L o n d o n , C ap e P ro v in ce .
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M r. A B R A M Served
the
S O W A Z I was born at Tarkastad, C ap e P ro v in ce .
W esleyan
Steward f o r
B IO G R A P H Y
M e th o d is t
3 6 years.
In
C hurch
as P reacher and
C ircu it
1 9 1 2 , th rou gh some m isunderstanding,
he seceded, and w ith over tw o thousand fo llo w e rs, he jo i n e d A fr ic a n
M e th o d is t
C h u rc h ,
a p u rely A f r ic a n
organisation.
c h i e f c o u n cillo r o f Z a zela, C h i e f o f the A m a z iz i T r i b e .
the W as
D i e d on
the 29 th O c to b e r , 1 9 1 3 , at the age o f 73 years, a fte r g iv in g all his c h ild r e n
a sound
education.
M rs . A . 1 'E M B A is a M okhatla bv birth. cated and m arried in the Transvaal.
She was b o rn , e d u
She was a w o m a n o f character
an d d id m u ch to help her peop le.
Took
political and social l i f e o f the A fricans.
a keen
interest in the
She was one o f the w o m e n
wrh o w ere elected by the A fr ic a n N ational C ongress to be arrested b y the p o lice d u rin g the W o m e n ’ s Pass T e s t Case.
Later she was
a p p o in te d president o f the W o m e n ’s Section o f the A fr ic a n N ational C ongress.
Airs. T e m b a d ie d in Joh annesburg in
R ev. N E H E A I I A H
1928.
T I L E , o f the T c m b u T r i b e , was born in
T e m b u l a n d and edu cated at B oloto.
W e n t to w ork at Q u e e n sto w n .
B ecam e a m e m b e r o f the W esleyan C h u rc h and was b a p tized by R e v . D u g m o r e , a missionary o f
the W esleyan M e th o d is t C h u r c h .
soon becam e a lay preacher and ultimately an evangelist. to P o n d o la n d in the year 1 8 7 0 . gregation s and soon
becam e a personal f r i e n d
land.
W as
U m g w a li Cape.
In
the
of
the Param ount
Basutos.
H is c o n g r e
1 8 7 3 he built a ch u rch at C w e c w e , P o n d o
partly
responsible
fo r
the establishing
of
the
Sch ool, n o w an im portant educational institution in the
O n the r e co m m e n d a tio n o f som e ministers, N c h c m ia h T i l e
Was sent to H e a ld t o w n C o urse. ■and sent success.
W as sent
H e su cceeded in b u ild in g up c o n
C h i e f M h l o n t l o and C h i e f L eh an e o f gations increased.
He
Institution w h e re h e took the T h e o lo g ic a l
A f t e r c o m p le tin g his studies he was licen sed as a m inister to
Q o k o lw e n i.
As
a m inister
N e h e m ia h
T ile
was
a
A p o w e r f u l preacher, a d e v o te d servant o f the C h u rc h , a
fr ie n d o f his peop le.
H i s w ork prospered and his p e o p le had great 9S
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AFRICAN
ad m ira tion f o r h im . T h e fuss his p eop le m ade ov e r him d id not fa il to increase his enem ies. Soon R ev. C hu bbs, a brother m inister o f the same ch u rch , accused R e v . T i l e o f (a ) taking part in political matters, ( b ) o f stirring up a f e e l in g o f hostility against magistrates in T e m b u la n d , ( c ) o f addressing a p u b lic m e e tin g on a Sabbath da y, ( d ) o f r e fu s in g to in f o r m him ( R e v . C h u b b s ) o f his activities, (e ) o f d o n a tin g an o x at the circu m cision o f D a lin y e b o , h eir t o the Param ount C h i e f t a in c y (this is a national c u s t o m ). Rev. T ile was tried b y the W esleya n M e th o d is t C h u rc h ministers at a m e e tin g s u m m o n e d fo r that purpose. Letters w ere p r o d u c e d , but the nam e or names o f the writers w ere con cealed . R e v . N e h e m ia h T i l e insisted that h e be g iv e n the names o f the writers. A m isu n d er standing arose, R e v . N e h e m ia h T i l e ten d ered his resignation, and l e f t the m e e tin g . T h i s was in 18 8 4 . A f t e r a consultation w ith P aram ount C h i e f N g a n g e liz w e and his c h i e f councillors, it was d e c id e d that a N a tional C h u rc h be established w ith N e h e m ia h T i l e as head. T h e w h o le T e m b u T r i b e was soon su m m o n e d and i n f o r m e d o f the T e m b u C h u r c h that w'as to be established. It was not lo n g b e f o r e a C h u r c h wras erected at the R oval Kraal, and th e re a fte r the w ork progressed. C h i e f N g a n g e liz w e h im s e lf becam e a regular attendant at the n ew ch u rch , later he was co n v e r te d by N e h e m ia h T i l e to the Christian Faith. Strange as it m ay seem, yet it is a fa ct that N e h e m ia h T i l e and all his fo llo w e rs w ere look ed d o w n u p o n by all or most o f their kith and kin w h o w ere still m em bers o f the F.uropean-controlled C h u rc h . I n d e e d th ey w ere even re fu se d admis sion to churches at C w e c w e . E ven this beh aviour fa ile d to da u n t the spirits o f T i l e and his band o f follo w e rs. It was N e h e m ia h T i l e ’ s wish that his ministers should be trained in accordance w ith the C h u r c h o f E n g la n d priesthood. B e fo r e he d ie d , h o w e v e r, he o r d a in e d J. G q a m a n i, C . Kula, and M k iz e as m in iste —. O n his d ea th -b ed he a p p oin ted R ev. J. G q a m a n i as his ■successor. P rior to his death he was visited by t w o E uropean mission aries w h o tried to persuade him to advise his. fo llo w e r s to j o i n th e ir C h u rc h . N eedless to say this was r e je c t e d . N e h e m ia h T i l e had established the T e m b u C h u r c h ; he was near the e n d o f his l i f e w h ic h he had de d ica te d to the salvation o f his peop le. H e now e x h o rte d them not to turn back, but to look fo rw a rd and u p w ard, l i f t i n g ever h ig h e r the Banner o f the T e m b u C h u r c h w h ic h knew no d iffe r e n c e b etw een m e n , but b elieved that th e y wrere the same in the fa c e o f G o d , w ith equal rights and privileges. N e h e m ia h T i l e d ie d in 188 5. Present at his d e a th -b e d w ere the Param ount C h i e f and natural ruler o f the T e m b u T r i b e , D a lin d y e b o , son o f N g a n g e liz w e , C o u n c illo r M q w e t y a n e , his w i f e and c h ild r e n , and his successor, R ev. G q a m a n i. A great m an had fallen asleep. He was m o u r n e d by the w h o le T e m b u T r i b e , and in d e e d other tribes a m o n g w h o m he had laboured d u rin g his life t im e . 96
YEARLY
B IO G R A P H Y
REGISTER
M rs. GW AYI TYAM ZASHE, ncc D an ie ls, was b o r n at Paarl. She m ig ra te d w it h her parents to the D ia m o n d Fields w h e r e she a tte n d e d sch ool. M a r r i e d the R e v . G w a y i P. T y a m z a s h e a stru g glin g y o u n g m in ister o f the N a tiv e C o n g r e gation al C hurch. M rs. Tyam zashe’s fa t h e r was a F r e n c h H u g u e n o t and her m o t h e r was c o lo u r e d . M rs. T yam zashe was the m oth er of n in e c h ild r e n , R ach a el, Jam es, H enry, C a th e r in e , M e j a n a , E liz a b e th , B e n ja m in , J o h n and C h a rlo tte . M r s . T y a m z a s h e was a great h e lp to her husband. She d i e d five years a f t e r the death o f h e r husband. M r . T W A A Y I . O w n e r o f o n e o f the le a d in g b o a rd in g -h o u se s in B l o e m f o n tein. A lso o w n e r o f cabs. A successful insurance agent. A n u p rig h t ge n tle m a n and was o n e o f the pillars o f the T e m perance S o cie ty . A t o n e tim e was T r e a s u r e r -G e n e r a l of the A f r ic a n N a tional C ongress. M r . T w a a y i was a m an o f his w o r d and practised exactly w h at he p reach ed . d oo k a keen interest in the w e lfa r e o f his p e o p le . A d v o c a t e d s e lf-h e lp . W as m a rried and d ie d about 1 9 2 3 . W i f e an d son still c a rry in g on his business.
R e v . D A N I E L D . T Y W A K A D I was b o r n at P irrie IVfission, in the district o f K in g w illia m s t o w n w h e r e he re ce iv e d his first e d u ca tio n , later a tte n d in g the B e d f o r d P u b lic S ch ool b e f o r e the C o lo u r Bar was in tr o d u c e d . H e sat f o r a n u m b e r o f e x a m in a tio n s, an d c o n t in u e d his private studies. In 1 9 0 0 he becam e an E v a n gelist in C a p e t o w n , and was o r d a in e d a m in iste r o f the C o n g r e g a tio n a l C h u r c h in 1 9 0 4 . L ater he w e n t to Joh an n esbu rg a n d becam e a p r o m in e n t m e m b e r o f the A f r i c a n c o m m u n it y . H e to o k a keen interest in the w e lfa r e o f his p e o p le . 97
H K H . k \I’ H Y
THE AFRICA*
111*1*00 T i l l .
98
i
YEARLY
B IO G R A P H Y
REGISTER
T I P P O O T I B , C on q ueror-E xplorer, was born in 1837 at Z a n z i bar. H e was also known as H ib M oh a m m e d . At that time the enormous wealth o f the African interior was almost untouched. W h e n T i p p o o was 16 years o f age he accompanied his father on one o f his inland expeditions. O n this journ ey T i p p o o distinguished him self both as a fighter and a trader. W h e n it came to bargaining there was none so astute and suave as he. N o n e excelled him in audacity and skill. Later T i p p o o was allowed by his father to set out on his own. 'The youth, w h o was only 18 years o f age took with him 100 men. H e was full o f adventure, and set out f o r the interior. A rriving at Lake T anganyika he crossed in great canoes, hollowed out by him self and his m en, fr o m trees o f primeval forests. A f t e r crossing the lake, T i p p o o c o n tinued into the interior until he came to T abora, a territory that was ruled by T e m b a , the K ing. T e m b a , on m eeting T i p p o o T i b , planned to provoke a quarrel w ith him , kill him , and take away his goods, but the laws o f hospitality dem anded that n o business should be discussed until the third day after a trader’ s arrival. In the interim, T i p p o o T i b learnt o f the plot, and siding with the followers o f M nyam a, the rightful heir, attacked T e m b a and killed him. A ft e r this adventure he returned to the coast, richly laden with ivory; gold and cattle. H is appetite m ore sharpened, T i p p o o 'I'ib soon after started on a second expedition, taking with him this time goods valued at about £ 8 ,0 0 0 . H e le ft behind twenty creditors. All did not g o well on this trip. H e wandered into territory ravaged by fam ine, but turned it to advantage by getting bearers cheaply. Again many o f his porters ran o ff with his goods. C on tin u in g his jou rn ey, he came to the territory o f Nsama, a pow erfu l K in g, w h o had conquered all his neighbours and annexed their land. Nsama received T i p p o o T i b with a great show o f hospitality and led him into a large hut where he showed him a great quantity o f gold and ivory. But it was an ambush. T h r e e arrows struck T i p p o o 'Lib in the shoulder; managing to fight his way out and rallying his men he attacked Nsama. A ft e r fo u r days’ fighting T i p p o o T i b was victorious, and seizing Nsama’s kingdom and all his wealth he made him self ruler. Nsama had been regarded as invincible, and the victory gave T i p p o o T i b immense prestige in the interior. N ot long after he gave up this kingdom and returned to Zanzibar where he was regarded as a great figure, the Sultan entertaining him in his palace. T ip p oo was now a rich man. H e was then on ly twenty years o f age, but lik - most adventurers m o n e y passed through his hands like water, and like a moth drawn by a candle he returned to the interior. 99
Collection Number: A1618 Collection Name: T.D. Mweli SKOTA Papers, 1930-1974
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