Ancestry24

Rev. FORBES CUMMING BOTA was born at Gildon, Baviaans River in the District of Bedford, Cape Province, on the 11th April, 1874. His father was an elder in the United Presbyterian Church at Glenthorn in the same district. He died in 1881 leaving four sons including the Rev. F. C. Bota. In 1891 Rev. Bota went to Lovedale where he qualified as a teacher. He was one of the brightest students. at Lovedale at that time. In 1897 he went to teach at Gillton, Tyumie, Cape Province, later going to Macfarlane. In 1905 he entered the Transvaal and went to teach at Zoutpansberg. In 1916 he joined the South Africa Native Labour Contingent going to France, and after the Great War he returned to South Africa and resumed teaching. In 1924 he went to Tiger’s  Kloof Institution to study theology, and in 1929 he was ordained minister of the Congregational Church. He is now stationed at 30, Doran Street, Jeppestown, Johannesburg. He is a descendant of the royal stock of the Tembus. Is married and has two daughters and one son.

Mrs. M. BOBOJANE, of Boksburg, who is a younger sister of Mrs. M. Kondile, was born in the Cape Province. Like her sister, she was a foundation member of the Women’s Section of the African National Congress. She did much work in organising the women in the Transvaal. Was a delegate to many conferences of the African National Congress. She is very prominent among the residents of Boksburg.

Mr. PETER BELL was born in Herschel, Cape Province. His parents moved to Basutoland when he was only three  Weeks old. He was educated first in Basutoland and later at Bensonville and; Zonnebloem College, Capetown. He joined the Civil Service as interpreter in the Native Affairs Department in 1897 and continued until 1929. The only break was during the Anglo-Boer War when he served first as a sergeant. and later on promotion as a sergeant-major. He is now headman of Klipspruit Location, Johannesburg.

Mr. PETER BELL was born in Herschel, Cape Province. His parents moved to Basutoland when he was only three weeks old. He was educated first in Basutoland and later at Bensonville and Zonnebloem College, Capetown. He joined the Civil Service as interpreter in the Native Affairs Department in 1897 and continued until 1929. The only break was during the Anglo-Boer War when he served first as a sergeant and later on promotion as a sergeant-major. He is now headman of Klipspruit Location, Johannesburg.

Dr. Daniel William Alexander, Doctor of Divinity, Archbishop and Primate of the Province of South Africa and East Africa, in the African Orthodox Church-an independant Episcopal Church with apostolic succession through the Original Patriarchal See of St. Peter at Antioch.

Born 25th December, 1880, at Port Elizabeth, Cape Province. Second eldest child of Henry and Elizabeth Alexander (father a native of the French West Indies, Martinique). Educated at St. Peter’s Primary and Secondary Schools and the Sisters of Mercy (Catholic). Married Elizabeth Koster 28th August, 1901, at Pretoria. Boatbuilder by trade. Joined the British in the Anglo-Boer War, was captured at Colenso and sent to Pretoria.

After the capture of Pretoria joined the Anglican Church and was appointed chaplain at the Old Prison, eventually studying for the ministry under the Fathers Bennet and Fuller of the Community of the Resurrection, and Canons Farmer and Rev. H. Mtobi. Elected secretary of the A.P.O., Pretoria Branch, and the secretary of the committee for the purchasing of the Lady Selborne Township, Pretoria.

Resigned the Anglican Church and went to Johannesburg and joined the African Life Assurance Society as agent on their starting the Industrial Branch, and opened the Pretoria office after two and a half years. Resigned and was elected Grand True Secretary of the I.O.T.T., Northern Grand Lodge, before the separation. Re-elected 1920-21. Refused nomination 1922.
In 1924 organised the African Branch of the African Orthodox Church and was appointed Vicar-Apostolic by Bishop George A. McGuire, M.D., D.D., D.C., and in the following year was elected Bishop for the Province of South Africa. On arrival in New York was given Catholic Orders by Bishop W. E. Robertson and Archbishop McGuire respectively to the Priesthood, and on the 11th September, 1927, was consecrated Archbishop and Primate of the Province of South and East Africa, in the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Boston, U.S. America. The Degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred by the Faculty (Honorary)) on the Archbishop.

Editor of the African Orthodox Churchman, a monthly magazine of the Province, and author of An Orthodox Catechism. Dean of the Seminary of St. Augustine for the ministerial students for the Church. Address: 3, Brimton Street, Beaconsfield, Kimberley, South Africa.

Mr. Paul Xiniwe went to Lovedale in 1881 as an advanced student on the recommendation of Rev. Edward Solomon, of Bedford, from whence he came. He had worked previously on the railway as timekeeper and later as telegraph operator. At Lovedale he entered the students’ classes in January, 1881. In the second year he obtained the seventy-fourth certificate of competency at the Elementary Teachers’ Examination. He became teacher in the Edwards Memorial School, Port Elizabeth. His school was said to stand high in the classification of schools of the district in efficiency. After some years he tired of the teaching profession, and having saved some money, resigned in order to become a business man. He bought property at East London, Port Elizabeth and Kingwilliamstown, and opened stores as merchant and hotel proprietor. At Kingwilliamstown his property was conspicuous, being a double storey building and known as the Temperance Hotel. In a very short time the Temperance Hotel was known through the Cape Province. Paul Xiniwe took a very keen interest in the welfare of his people. An upright man, honest gentleman, and a thorough Christian and a staunch temperance apostle.

He married a Miss Ndwanya, sister of Mr. Ndwanya, a law agent who was respected by Europeans and natives at Middle-drift. Mr. Xiniwe was the father of five children. The eldest son, Mr. B. B. Xiniwe, was a law agent at Stutterheim for a number .of years; the second son is in Johannesburg; the third, a daughter, Frances Mabel Maud, is the wife of the editor of this book; the fourth, another daughter, Mercy, is the wife of Mr. Ben. Tyamzashe, a schoolmaster and an author; and the youngest son, Mr. G. Xiniwe, is a clerk in a solicitor’s office, Kingwilliamstown. Mr. Paul Xiniwe died at an early age leaving a widow and five children to look after themselves. Mrs. Xiniwe who, with her husband, had been to Europe as a member of a native choir, was a lady of .experience, tact, character and business acumen. Difficult though it was, she maintained her late husband’s property, and carried on the business and educated her children. This lady indeed commanded the respect of all who knew her, white and black. Paul Xiniwe was a man of his word. He swore he would never touch liquor. When he became very ill his doctor advised him to take a little brandy, but he made up his mind that he would not do so, although it was said brandy was the only thing that would save his life.

Mrs. E. XINIWE was born and educated at Middledrift, Cape Province. She married the late Paul Xiniwe, of Kingwilliamstown, They lived together at Port Elizabeth where the husband was teaching. After some time they went to Kingwilliamstown where they established a general dealer’s business and hotel, later branches of this business were established at East London and Port Elizabeth. Mrs. Xiniwe, like her husband, proved to be very good in business. Was also a very good musician with a fine soprano voice. She and her husband toured Europe with a native choir. They sang before Royalties. When Mr. Xiniwe died Mrs. Xiniwe took full control .of the business which continued to prosper in her charge in spite of her husband’s death. She was the mother of three sons and two daughters to whom she gave a good education, and a start in business. Her property was a big double-storey building on the Market Square in Kingwilliamstown. As her husband was an African pioneer in business, so she was the first African women to control successfully :such vast business interests in South Africa. Mrs. Xiniwe had many friends both in South Africa and England. She was the mother of Mrs. Skota, wife of the editor of this book, and Mrs. B. Tyamzashe, and Messrs. B. B., M. and G. Xiniwe. Her death was a great blow to many people in the Cape Province.

Mr. BEN TELE, who was born and educated in the Cape Province, was a successful law agent at Peddie. He was one of the leading men of his time. Was much respected by Europeans and Africans alike. He took a leading part in religious, social, educational and political affairs of his people. He was a great advocate for higher education for native children. He had been chairman of many important meetings and a member of many deputations to the Government. The chiefs of the Cape Province ‘recognised him as a loyal subject and a powerful leader.
1877 In 1879 he became teacher at Uitenhage. In 1883 he • was a clerk and interpreter in the Magistrate’s Court, Port Elizabeth. After some years Mr. Wauchope resigned the Civil Service to join the ministry. In this calling he made wonderful success. He was very popular and had great influence over his people. He paid special attention to their education and took keen interest in their welfare. He was very kind, a real gentleman and a true Christian. During the Great War, 1914-1918, he enlisted as chaplain to the Native Labour Battalion, and sailed with hundreds of Africans to France in the Mandi. The steamer was not destined to reach its destination, for it was sunk and few were saved. Rev. Isaac Williams Wauchope went down with a great many and his grave is in the deep blue sea.

Rev. J. Z. TANTSI was a Tembu by birth and. was born at Ngcobo in the Cape Province. He worked for a number of years in the Cape Province, and afterwards went to Johannesburg where he obtained work. He became a local preacher of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. When Rev. Mokone established the Ethiopian Church Rev. Tantsi joined him, and at once studied for the ministry. After some time he was ordained a minister. He took a leading part in the affairs of the Church especially during the Ethiopian and African Methodist Episcopal Church union. He was elected a delegate to the General Conference of the Church in America.
Rev. Tantsi was the father of Dr. J. Y. Tantsi, who was educated at Wilberforce University in America. Rev. Tantsi was a good Christian gentleman, a  powerful preacher and a hard worker. He took great interest in the welfare of his people. He was much respected by those who knew him. He died at his home at Ngcobo, after rendering great service to the Church he loved. His son is to-day a presiding elder and superintendent of the church under Bishop Young.

Mr. ABRAM SOWAZI was born at Tarkastad, Cape Province. Served the Wesleyan Methodist Church as Preacher and Circuit Steward for 36 years. In 1912, through some misunderstanding, he seceded, and with over two thousand followers, he joined the African Methodist Church, a purely African organisation. Was chief councillor of Zazela, Chief of the Amazizi Tribe. Died on the 29th October, 1913, at the age of 73 years, after giving all his children a sound education.