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Abstract:
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This research investigates and discusses missionary education in South Africa in general, and
in the Bushbuckridge (BBR) area in particular, during the period 1910-1973. It also
investigates and highlights how missionaries from various church denominations from Europe
and the United States of America, spread the Word of God in South Africa. This research
reveals that they founded and provided educational assistance to illiterate Black people. in
order to enable thein to read the Bible, as effective means of realising their goals of
Christianisation, evangelisation and civilisation.
This study also finds that mi.ssionaries in the BBR offered Black people education in matters
of industry. manual skills and farming, at their mission stations and mission schools, as a
strong means of not only providing them with job skills and knowledge, but also preparing
them for possible future self-employment and promoting their economic development and that
of the community at large.
This investigation indicates that missionary education removed out Black culture and
traditional religious beliefs, and inculcated Western culture and Christian religious belief.
Missionary education atso inculcated civilised habits of cleanliness, obedience, loyalty,
patience, punctuality, tidiness, subordination, submissiveness, trustfulness and a sound
attitude to work, industriousness, perseverance, respect and a sense of humour amongst Black
people, as characteristic of Christianisation, and Christian evangelisation and civilisation.
After a thorough investigation and discussion of missionary education, in South Africa· in
general, and in the BBR area in particular, several recommendations and proposals are
formulated, in order to advance the purpose of this research. |
