Lovedale: Past and Present. – Stewart, James (Preface)

A Register of Two Thousand Names. A Record Written in Black and White, but More in White than Black. With a European Roll

In addition: “Analysis of foregoing Lovedale Register” showing subsequent statements of employment of “Native Young Men” and “Native Young Women”, and other statistics related to the progress of students after leaving Lovedale. “A reply to the increasing attacks on ‘liberal’ education for Africans” James Stewart (1831-1905), principal of Lovedale Missionary Institution. “In the following pages we have accordingly endeavoured… to give individual records of over 2000 natives of South Africa… and also some of the hundreds of Europeans… who have come for instruction to this place.” (from the Introductory Statement.) Despite Stewart’s words “It is a simple record of facts so far as we have been able to ascertain them, in whatever may be the judgment passed upon its contents. “The successes and failures of its students such as Tiyo Soga, John Knox Bokwe, Walter E. Stanford, John Tengo Jabavu, make for absorbing reading. Charles Jojo, or Maquba Sitwana, born a heathen, at Esangu, in Natal, was sent here from Adams Station in Natal, in March 1879. Previous to that date he had had a somewhat remarkable history. Driven by curiosity to see European life, he and his brother George had made their way from their home to Durban, Natal, and there got on board a ship bound eventually for England. The ship is believed to have been the ‘Ansgarius’, belonging to the Norwegian Missionary Society, whose headquarters are at Stavanger. He had been cared for on the voyage, but on his arrival at London, against the Captain’s wish, he determined to stay there to get education. Falling into bad hands, there followed nine months or a year of travelling about with a circus and menagerie, where he was exhibited as “King Koffee.” During this time he was separated from his brother, but, in the end, he fell into the hands of the Rev. H Grattan-Guinness, of the East London Institute, who already had charge of his brother, and who took care of him in London. By Mrs Grattan-Guinness he was sent first to Adams Station, and then to Lovedale. He attended the First and Second Years’ Classes, and remained here till 1881, but latterly became unruly and insubordinate, and left of his own accord, in a very unpleasant way. He had a good deal of natural intelligence, but his visit to England had evidently spoilt him. He is said to have been seen in the red blanket in Natal. It is, however, very unusual for any native to go back to heathen ways, who has once left them for any length of time. See the third image of the entry for Jojo Charles from pg. 103. Lovedale seminary and collage developed out of the Missionary Station (founded 1824), provided education (primary, high school, technical, teacher training, theology, and nursing) to Black students, aiming to educate them to the same level as white students, which was rare for its time. Prominent alumni include many influential Black African leaders and intellectuals, including former South African President Thabo Mbeki, Black Consciousness Movement leader Steve Biko, activist Chris Hani, and the first black South African cleric, Tiyo Soga. 1st Edition Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards with edge-wear. Bumping to corners.

Publisher: Mission Press
Date Published: 1887
Publication Place: Lovedale, South Africa
First Edition: Yes

Condition: Good. General wear to the binding and textblock slightly shaken.
Binding: Hardcover.