A CENTURY OF GRACE 1887-1987

A CENTURY OF GRACE FOR THE
DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH
IN BOTSWANA – 1887-1987

By W.L. Maree

A hundred years is only a brief period in the eyes of God, but in human terms it overs several generations. Therefore the centenary of the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana (1877-1977) gives reason for thanksgiving and rejoicing, espeially in view of the close relationship between the church and the Bakgatla people throughout this period.
It can be claimed that the Bakgatla people brought their church with them when they moved from Saulspoort to Mochudi in 1870, although seven more years were to pass before the first permanent missionary settled at Mochudi in 1877.
The history of this mission goes back to the year 1857, when the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk) decided to establish a “foreign mission” somewhere beyond the borders of the Cape Colony. In those days the church still had to recruit most of its ministers, missionaries and :eachers from overseas. Accordingly the Rev. Alexander MacKidd of Scotland and :he Rev. Henri Gonin of Switzerland were found for the proposed new venture.
Mr. MacKidd established a mission station in the Soutpansberg district in the Northern Transvaal in 1863. The following year Mr. Gonin settled near Saulspoort in the Western Transvaal, where he preached the Gospel to the Bakgatla people and baptised the first converts in 1866. At the request of Chief Kgamanyane of the Bakgatla ba ga Kgatela, the Gonin family soon moved to the main village at Saulspoort.

EXODUS
In 1870, however, Chief Kgamanyane left the Transvaal with the majority of his subjects and eventually established a new village at Mochudi on the banks of the Notwane River. Mr. Gonin first considered following the Chief to Mochudi, but after decided to continue his ministry among the remaining people at Saulspoort.
In 1874 Mochudi was visited by a young missionary, the Rev. Pieter Brink, who had been working with Mr. Gonin. In the same year Chief Kgamanyane died and was succeeded by his son Linchwe, who gave Mr. Brink permission to settle at Mochudi. In May 1877 the missionary and his wife moved to Mochudi and started building a simple church and school. He also ordered a small printing press to produce literature in the Setswana language. During the nine years of his ministry in this area he baptised 37 converts, including two brothers and an uncle of the chief.
More people moved westward from the Transvaal and established villages such as Malolwane, Sikwane, Modipane, Bokaa and Morwa. As early as 1882 Mr. Brink sent a teacher to Sikwane.

CHIEF’S CONVERSION
After Mr. Brink’s death in 1886 he was succeeded by the Rev. E.B. Beyer. Building on the foundations laid by his predecessor, Mr. Beyer saw the Spirit of God working miracles in the hearts of the people. The new church, which he built in 1890, was soon filled to overflowing. The schools were full of eager pupils and a special class was formed for young men who wished to become evangelists.
The most momentous and far-reaching event in the history of the tribe was the conversion of Chief Linchwe himself in 1892. After attending catechism for some time and secluding himself in the hills to search his own heart, he decided to commit his life to God and to join the church. Before his baptism and confirmation, he called a meeting of the tribe to inform his subjects of his decision. In a stirring address he expressed his intention to follow the precepts of the Christian faith and to rule as a Christian chief for the rest of his life. When some tribesmen complained that no one would make rain for them any more, the Chief replied that rain was sent by God and that he would pray to God for rain for all his people.
The Chief’s act made a tremendous impression on his people. Scores of them followed his example and the church grew spectacularly. Chief Linchwe proclaimed strict laws in accordance with his Christian convictions. Sunday observance was enforced and several heathen customs were abolished. No other denomination was allowed to establish a mission station in the area, and for all practical purposes the Dutch Reformed Church became the national church of the Bakgatla people.
Before Mr. Beyer’s departure in 1894, the baptised members at Mochudi had increased to 411, while four schools were attended by 300 children and 300 adults. Church services were attended by up to 1500 people at a time. A church was also built at Sikwane, where the communicant members increased to 230 and the scholars to 240. Evangelists were stationed at several villages, such as Leoke Mann at Sikwane, Thomas Phini at Malolwane and Abel Ratladi at Morwa.
The Chief’s brothers, Segale and Ramono, were as enthusiastic as the Chief himself in promoting the Christian faith and the welfare of the tribe. Chief Linchwe proved to be a great and wise leader, revered by his people and held in high esteem by all.

CONSTANT GROWTH
In 1896 an eager young missionary, the Rev. Willie Neethling, arrived at Mochudi. His brief ministry was brought to a tragic end the next year, when the gable of the church collapsed on him during a freak storm. His last words, “God makes no mistakes”, are remembered and quoted at Mochudi to this day. He was the first of several mission workers to be buried at Mochudi, among the people whom he had come to serve in the name of God.
The Rev. Pieter Stofberg, who succeeded the Rev. Neethling, was one of the most gifted and capable missionaries ever sent out by the Dutch Reformed Church. His wife died soon after his arrival, but for several years he continued preaching the Gospel, organising the work on a sound basis, teaching the large numbers of catechumens, training evangelists and giving medical assistance. Meanwhile, Western civilisation and influence became more marked, especially when telephone and railway lines to Rhodesia were laid through this area and Bechuanaland became a British Protectorate with the boundaries of the tribal districts defined.
The missionary work at Mochudi was interrupted by the Anglo-Boer War, but was resumed afterwards with renewed vigour. The highlight of the Post-war decade was the building of the large church in 1903 and 1904. The Chief himself took the lead and laid the foundation stone for the edifice which is still standing today.
By 1905 more than a thousand Bakgatla children were attending various mission schools — more than 600 in Mochudi and the rest in other villages. Mr. Stofberg’s death in 1907 was a great loss to the church. His memory is perpetuated in the Stotberg Memorial School for ministers, evangelists and teachers which was established in South Africa the year after his death.

MANY CHANGES
The work was continued by missionaries such as Messrs. D.J. Joubert, J.C. Knobel, C.H. Murray and H.R. Barrish; teachers like Messrs. W.D. Hibbert and R.S. Steerisma; and devoted women like Misses Mary Murray, Miemie Neethling, Borne Retief, Agnes Krynauw and many others. The most remarkable of these ladies was the legendary Miss Retief, who worked at Mochudi for 42 years, from 1887 to 1929. She devoted the greatest part of her life to the Bakgatla people, especially the women. Occasionally, when no male missionaries were available, she carried the responsibility alone.
Even more important than the constant supply of ministers and mission workers
from South Africa, was the fact that Bakgatla men and women came forward in increasing numbers to preach the Gospel and teach the children. The pioneer evangelist, Leoke Mann, died at the turn of the century, but the work was continued by
devoted evangelists such as Hendrik Molefi, Silas Matihaga, Levi Gare, Simon Kwa
pa, Nicodemus Molantwa, Aaron Ratsatsi, Henoke Sefakwe and Samuel Tihagwane. Mention must also be made of the large number of teachers, even from the
royal family.
The Rev. Thomas Phiri, who had been serving as an evangelist since 1893 and later completed his studies at the Mission Institute at Wellington, was ordained as a
minister in 1906. He will be remembered as the second African pastor ordained by
the D.R. Church and the first from the Bakgatla people. He lived at Mabalane
and preached in the villages near the Transvaal border.
Unfortunately the church did not continue growing and flourishing at the same
rate as during the first thirty years. To many people membership in the church be
came a custom or formality, rather than a matter of conviction, with the result that
church attendance dropped although the nominal membership increased. Furthermore, the work was hampered by a fast turnover of missionaries, interspersed
with long vacancies.
Meanwhile, Chief Linchwe suffered a stroke, which left him partially paralysed.
His second son, Isang, acted as Regent from 1921, as the eldest son had died a few
years earlier. Isang continued to act in this capacity after Linchwe’s death in 1924,
as the legal heir, Molefi, was still too young to assume the chieftainship.
CO-OPERATION
The arrival of the Rev. Johan Reyneke in 1923 heralded a new period of church
extension and fruitful co-operation between church and tribe to the advantage of
the people. Chief Isang showed a keen interest in education, as was proved by the building of a large new school on a hill overlooking the village. He also encouraged modern agricultural methods, combatted the abuse of liquor and insisted on Sunday observance, while certain tribal traditions were re-introduced in a Christianised form. In those days, communion services were attended by up to 700 communicants at a time. In 1929 Molefi was installed as Chief. After the departure of Mr. Reyneke in 1934, the church had to face the establishment of the Zion African Church and the Bakgatla Free Church — the latter led by the Rev. Phiri who left the D.R.C. in 1937. Rev. W.A. Krige, the Rev. Paul Murray and the Rev. J.C.N. Mentz, worked hard however, to recover what had been lost. By 1941 the official following of the church was as large as ever, with 2 640 communicants, 320 catechumens, about 700 Sunday school pupils and 1 500 scholars. The women’s association (Kopano) played an important part in the life of the church. The 75th anniversary of the mission was celebrated in 1952.

EAST AND WEST
The church in the Sikwane area had lost most of its members through the defection of the Rev. Phiri, but the veteran evangelist Samuel Tlhagwane (who is still living today at the ripe age of 105) patiently began assembling the remaining members. From 1945 permanent missionaries were stationed in that area again. Especially during the ministry of the Rev. J.L. Reyneke between 1948 and 1957, the dispersed members returned to the fold and the Bakgatla Free Church disappeared from the scene. A symbol of the rebirth of the congregation at Sikwane was the official opening of an impressive new church in 1960 by Chief Linchwe II, who had succeeded his father on the latter’s death in 1958.
When Mr. Mentz retired at Mochudi, the work was continued by the Rev. Andrew Barry, who had been assisting Mr. Mentz since 1955. He was joined by the Rev. R.J. Seoke in 1964. in 1972 Mr. Seoke exchanged Mochudi for Sikwane.
The church expanded in other directions as well. For instance, a church was built and a school opened at Mokgopeetsane, where a small Coloured community had settled in 1915. Regular services were conducted there by missionaries from Mochudi, leading to the establishment of an independent congregation in 1963.
In 1940 the Rev. J.M. Madisa was stationed at Morwa to preach the Gospel in the western and southern villages such as Morwa, Bokaa, Oodi, Modipane and Rasesa. He was succeeded by the Rev. J.M. Mmatladi and in 1964 a separate congregation, called Mochudi West (Mochudi-Bophirima), was formed there. The minister since 1966 is the Rev. S.T. Phiri.
Another new congregation, comprising the eastern part of Mochudi, was formed in 1969. This congregation is known as Mochudi East (Mochudi-Botihaba). A church was opened there in 1972 and four years later the Rev. M.S. Tshenye was inducted as its first minister.

INDEPENDENCE
In 1966 the Republic of Botswana was established, with Sir Seretse Khama as its first President. The capital of the new Republic was built at Gaborone, 42 kilometres south of Mochudi. As many D.R.C. members from the Kgatleng district settled at Gaborone, it soon became clear that the church would have to extend its activities to Gaborone as well.
This was an important milestone in the history of the church, as it marked the expansion of its work beyond the Kgatleng district to which it had been confined for 90 years. In 1967 the Rev. Eric CasaleggIo was transferred from Sikwane to Gaborone, where he immediately started collecting his flock and conducting services. An impressive new church, with an adjoining hail, was officially opened in November, 1969, in the presence of several local dignitaries. Mr. Casaleggio also served as chairman of the Botswana Bible Society, which opened the well-known Bible House in Gaborone in the same year.
When Mr. Casaleggio left in 1971, Mr. Barry was transferred to Gaborone, where he is still working today. He was succeeded by the Rev. Vincent Pienaar at Mochudi. The Mokgopeetsane congregation was incorporated in the Gaborone congregation in 1974.
The presbytery of Mochudi was formed in 1972 to co-ordinate the activities of the congregations in Botswana, their total communicant membership being between 3 000 and 4 000.
The church also extended its work to other people who had hitherto not been reached by the Gospel. The most important undertaking was the mission to the nomadic Basarwa people near the western border of Botswana. The pioneer of this work was Miss Verena Venter, who left Mochudi in 1968 to teach the children at Kanagas. She was joined in 1973 by the Rev, and Mrs. J.L. Rammala, who were sent out by the Southern Transvaal Synod and opened a hostel for Basarwa children.
Another recent venture is a mission station at Makaleng, north-west of Francis- town, where the Rev. Isaac Moyo has been working on behalf of the Mochudi Circuit since 1974. In all the areas served by the church, youth camps and evangelistic campaigns have proved to be of tremendous value in reaching the hearts of the local inhabitants.

WELFARE WORK
Since the early years, the Dutch Reformed Church has identified itself with the needs of the people, not only by showing them the way to Christ but also by providing care and alleviating distress wherever possible.
During the deadly smallpox epidemic in 1895, for instance, Misses Murray and Retief chose to remain at Mochudi when the entrances were closed and the village placed under quarantine for six months. Throughout that period they visited the sick and gave assistance to the needy.
The next year, the country was stricken by the disastrous rinderpest and severe drought, resulting in the loss of about nine-tenths of the cattle. in addition, there was a particularly severe outbreak of malaria fever. During those years of distress, from 1895 to 1898, the mission staff, led by Messrs. Neethling and Stofberg, exerted themselves to the utmost to assist the suffering and starving population. Money and food were collected in the Cape and large consignments of food were sent by rail for distribution among the hungry. Chief Linchwe led his subjects in repentance and prayer .... and also in thanksgiving when those prayers were answered.

EDUCATION
From the beginning the church took a keen interest in education. Mission schools were built and teachers appointed, until the time arrived to hand over this department of the work to the local administration in 1921. An indication of the progress in this field was the fact that by that time no less than 900 children were at school. The close co-operation between church and administration continued and in the thirties Mochudi was regarded as the most important educational centre in Bechuanaland.
MEDCAL
Likewise, the early missionaries provided medical and dental aid to the best of their ability. For this purpose some of them followed courses in tropical medicine overseas before travelling to the mission fields.
Organised medical services at Mochudi were started in 1924, when the first qualified nurse, sister M. Wahl, was appointed and the first clinic opened. Another forward step was the appointment of the first medical doctor, Dr. G.M. Malan, in 1927. This paved the way for the opening of a small hospital in 1932, named the Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital in recognition of Miss Retief’s exemplary service in the mission field.
Another hospital was built near Sikwane in 1949. This hospital lies at Derdepoort, on the Transvaal side of the border, on the site of an unfortunate battle between black and white during the Anglo-Boer War, It now serves as a “bridge of love” between people from different countries and nations. The first superintendent was Dr. G.H.j. Teichler, who was transferred to Mochudi eleven years later. Other doctors who worked at Derdepoort and Mochudi include Drs. J.G. Burger, I. le Roux, J.G.M. Richter, Johanna Goldbach and Gerda Matthiessen The nursing staff also increased and saw many changes as time passed.
The Mochudi hospital was enlarged several times, partly as a result of generous donations from churches in Europe. In 1964, for instance, new wards and a nurses’ home were opened by the Director of Medical Services.
In 1966 Dr. Teichler went to London for further study in ophthalmology and on his return he established the first eye clinic in Botswana. Mochudi became a nurses’ training centre as well. Dr. Teichler, who was awarded the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 1970, retired last year after 27 years of untiring efforts on behalf of the people. The present superintendent is Dr. Howard Moffatt. The hospital now has 100 beds and treats 3 000 bed-patients and 25 000 out-patients per annum. A T.B. section is among the recent additions.
A huge mural painting of the Good Samaritan at the main entrance to the hospital symbolises the spirit in which this service is provided by the church. Fittingly, the Willie Neethling chapel is the spiritual heart of the hospital.

HOMECRAFTS CENTRE
As early as the previous century a small hostel was opened for scholars at Mochudi. This undertaking was placed on a sound footing in 1941 when a permanent hostel was established for girls. It was named after Miss Agnes Krynauw, who worked at Mochudi for 22 years. The matron, Miss M. Vermeulen, soon organised classes in domestic science, first aid and other subjects. This developed into the well-known Homecrafts Centre in 1945, when Miss E.J. von Mollendorf became the first principal.
Under Miss Von Mollendorf’s inspiring leadership the institution was an immediate success. It received generous government support and recognition, and girls. from all over Botswana flocked to the school. Gradually the standards for admission were raised and various other courses initiated. The Agnes Krynauw hostel was enlarged twice to accommodate the increasing number of students.
In November, 1969, three new groups of buildings were opened by the Minister of Education, Mr. B.C. Thema. These included an entirely new Homecrafts Centre, a Resource Centre for the Blind, and additional hospital blocks. A noteworthy feature of the Resource Centre is the fact that the blind children are taught together with normal children, although they are housed separately. Through Dr. Teichler’s endeavours a home and workshop for blind adults were established next to the hospital. A mission school was opened for children who are too old to be admitted to government schools. Temporary accommodation is also provided for relatives of hospital patients.
The Girl Guide movement proved to be a valuable avenue of service for some mission workers. Miss A.j. Pretorius, for instance, was awarded a Coronation Medal in 1937 for her leadership of the Wayfarers. Miss Von Mollendorf served as District Commissioner of the Girl Guides for many years. For her achievements in various spheres she was awarded the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service, the bronze medal and honorary membership of the Royal Africa Society, and the Bronze Eagle of the Girl Guides. She retired as principal of the Homecrafts Centre in 1975 and was succeeded by Miss Elize Cronjé.

GABORONE

At Gaborone, too, the church is setting up institutions for the benefit of local citizens. A day care centre (creche) for 80 children of working mothers is presently operating in the church hall, and another one is planned for the Naledi township. An important contribution to religious life throughout the country is made through MEMA, the church department which specialises in spreading the Gospel through modern audio-visual methods. Soon after Botswana became independent, MEMA established a well-equipped studio in Gaborone. Led by Mr. John Graham, it is responsible for all religious programmes of Radio Botswana. The D.R.C. also has its own newsletter, Morning Star (Mphatlalatsane).
It would have been impossible to meet the demands of all these activities without the loyal assistance of several dozen devoted men and women who left their own homes and countries to serve God in this part of Botswana. In addition to those already mentioned, the names are recalled of Misses Joan Laubscher, M. Barnard, Joan Claassen (Mrs. Barry), Lena Muller, Annette de Villiers, Leonora Kirchner, Alta Fourie and many others, ably assisted by local women such as Molly Molotsi, Virginia Sekate, Angeline Rampa, G. Pilane, Margaret Sakeng, Kedilong Molefi and Maria Moagi.

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
The centenary is an opportune occasion to take stock of the present state of the church and to face the immediate challenges, especially in view of the recent tenth anniversary of the Republic of Botswana. Looking back upon the past hundred years, one is left with a feeling of gratitude for what has been achieved by the grace of God. At the same time, however, the church is sadly aware of its failings and lost opportunities. What, then, are the main problems and challenges to be met by the church at the beginning of its second century?
It is to be regretted that the church did not grow, both inwardly and outwardly, during the last seventy years as it did in the first thirty years. The great “tribal conversion” under Chief Linchwe gave a tremendous impetus to the church and to the Christian religion in this country, but led to the problem of nominal membership in later years. Many people joined the church because it was the customary thing to do and not by inner conviction.
The localisation or indigenisation of the church must be pursued with vigour. The local mission council is already giving serious attention to the matter and has established a fund for the training of local people for specialised duties. To an increasing extent the future of the church in Botswana will depend not on expatriate missionaries, but on Christian citizens of the country who are prepared to serve God and their fellow-men in this way. The same principle applies to the financial side of the work. The church must aim at becoming self-supporting through the sacrificial gifts of its members. Foreign assistance will still be necessary and forthcoming, but no vigorous church can be built on such a foundation alone.
Stronger witness should be given by church members in word and deed. In earlier days, Christians were so obedient to God in their daily life that they attracted others, according to veteran church members like Mr. Selogwe Pilane and Miss Maria Moagi. More Christians should realise that every one of them forms part of the church and is co-responsible for its upkeep and extension.
The next problem is of a sociological nature. Family life is disrupted by the absence of men who stay at the cattle posts or work in the mines, while women work on the lands. This means that children are left at home alone for considerable periods, which gives rise not only to immorality but also to a neglect of church duties. Furthermore, for some reason or other, men are inclined to show less interest than women and children in religious matters. Although this is a fairly general phenomenon, it seems more marked in Botswana than elsewhere. This is one of the main reasons for the scarcity of church councillors and candidates for the ministry.
CENTENARY
The centenary of the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana will be celebrated at Mochudi during the second half of May, 1977. The main programme provides for choirs, film shows, exhibitions, reminiscences from the past, festival services, a Bible relay from Sikwane to Mochudi, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. It will be preceded by an evangelistic campaign with the object of challenging people anew with the demands of the Word of God.
The festival is being organised as an occasion for spiritual renewal and rededication, which will bring new life to the church. The church faces many challenges in Botswana, but they cannot be met without dedicated members who are willing to serve God and their fellow-men through the power of the Holy Spirit.
W.L. MAREE