Missionaries in Zimbabwe (Questions and Answers) [PDF]

[Specimen]

56 [a]. List any six problems faced by missionaries in Zimbabwe between 1850 and 1900. [6]

Diseases
Poor transport and communication
Opposition of African leaders
Opposition of Moslems/Swahili
Language barrier
Traditional religion
Food supplies were scarce

[b]. Describe the work of missionary organizations which operated in Zimbabwe 1850 and 1900. [11]

London missionary society came to Matabeleland after some earlier contacts south of Limpopo
1859 J.S .Moffat established a mission at Inyathi
Opened a church and a school to convert and teach the Ndebele Society
1870 LMS opened another station at Hope Fountain for the same purposes
Missionaries involved besides Moffat were Thompson, Sykes, Charles Helm and David Carnegie
1882 the Roman Catholics came to Matabeleland when the Jesuits opened Empandeni under father Bartholomew knoot
1879 a catholic mission was established by Fr Law at Mzila but it later failed
1891 the Anglican Church led by Knight Bruce came to Mashonaland. Their first mission station at St Augustines
Later the Jesuits established a mission at Chishawasha
The American Board of the church of Christ came to Eastern Zimbabwe and opened a mission station at Mt Selinda[Chirinda]
Other missionary groups who came were the Methodists, whose earliest mission was Old Mutare.
Between 1860 and 1890 missionaries representing the DRC, Paris Evangelical Mission and the Berlin Missionary Society to work, e,g the DRC was well represented in the Masvingo area.
Main activities of the missionaries included conversion to Christianity, education [3Rs], translations, medicine, technical work, mediating between Africans andother Europeans.

[c]. To what extent did the missionaries succeed in their work in this period?[8]

Education developed in areas where the African society was not tightly controlled
In Matabeleland missionaries only mad in-roads after Lobengula was crushed in the 1893 Anglo-Ndebele war
As technicians they did much even in Matabeleland,e,g repair guns.
At first few Africans accepted Christianity ,better reception in Mashonaland
Many hospitals were opened and served Africans who were then sidelined by the Government after 1890.
Many Africans remained sceptical of the missionaries and in some areas they made no progress.
In Matabeleland they took their role as link people with other Europeans to an extreme. They became main agents in the plots to dislodge the Ndebele and occupy Zimbabwe.

[Nov 2003]

[a]. List any six aims of missionaries who came into Zimbabwe between 1850 and 1900. [6]

To spread Christianity
To promote legitimate trade
To end slavery, end civil wars
To civilize the local people
To teach people to read and write

To promote European rule

To teach new farming methods, new skills e,g carpentry

[b]. Describe the activities of the missionaries in achieving their aims? [11]

The London Missionary Society established Inyathi Mission in 1859 led by J.s Moffat
In 1870 LMS opened another mission at Hope Fountain
At the missions the missionaries taught and preached the gospel
Books in Ndebele were printed
They grew food crops
The Roman Catholic Church also opened missions at Empandeni near Bulawayo
African evangelists and catechists from Transvaal and Lesotho sent missionaries to Mashonaland e,g the Dutch Reformed Church, Berlin Missionary Society and the Paris Evangelical Mission. Some permanent mission stations were established e,g at Chivi, Matibe, Mposi. At Chivi it was short lived.
Anglican church established the Diocese of Mashonaland in 1882 led by Knight Bruce
After 1890 some stations were established along the eastern borders: Mt Chirinda Mutambara Mission, Mary Mount, St Augustines, Nyanga [Marist Brothers] Missions, Regina Coel Mission.

[c]. How successful were these missionaries in achieving their aims? [8]

[i] Failures:

Suspected converts were punished
Yearned for destruction of Ndebele state which resisted Christianity
Africans unwilling to abandon traditional religion

[ii]. Successes

S. Moffat and C. Helm helped C.J. Rhodes to colonise Mashonaland and Matabeleland
Promoted trade between Whites and Africans
Between 1890 and 1900 converts started to increase in numbers
Established few missions
Taught few people to read and write
Converted few to Christianity

[June 2004]

Name three missionary organisations and their respective missions stations in Zimbabwe in the 19^th century. [6]

London Missionary Society –Inyathi, Hope Fountain.
Roman Catholic Church-Empandeni
The Dutch Reformed Church-Morgenster Mission

[b]. Describe the work of three missionary organisations in Zimbabwe in this period.[11]

1859 J.S Moffat, son of Mzilikazi’s friend Robert Moffat, allowed to open Mission station at Inyathi near Bulawayo. Lobengula later allowed the London Missionary Society to further open another mission at Hope Fountain.
Missionaries of the LMS engaged in teaching, preaching and literary work
isiNdebele books were printed
more LMS missionaries like Thompson, Sykes, Helm and Carnegie arrived
LMS missionaries were given land to grow crops and to repair guns ,inoculate cattle, treat the sick write Lobengula’s letters
In turn missionaries were allowed to preach among the Ndebele
The Roman Catholic Church‘s Jesuits missionaries founded a mission at Empandeni un 1887 near present day Plumtree. Under the leadership of Peter Prestige and Andre Hartmann, their mission struggled with very limited success. This forced it to close in 1889, only to re-open the mission in 1895 after defeat and conquest of the Ndebele kingdom
This followed Fr B Kroot’s visit to Lobengula in 1882
The Jesuits subsequently established another mission station near Bulawayo
The Jesuits also engaged in teaching, preaching and literary work
The Dutch Reformed Church of South African evangelists- to the Eastern part of Mashonaland between 1860 and 1890
African evangelists were used because of fears that Lobengula would not welcome whites
DRC evangelists were Michael Buys –approached the Govera Chief, Zimuto [the second].
Subsequently established mission at Morgenster Mission near Masvingo

[c]. How far were the missionaries successful in their work?

Missionaries were largely unsuccessful in especially converting people to Christianity
LMS missionaries in Matabeleland made little headway because Christianity was incompatible with Ndebele culture and Ndebele religion was interwoven with politics and military regiments
Ndebele economy –partly sustained by raiding which also was incompatible with Christianity preached by missions.
Hence converts were suspected and often punished
Ndebele society was organised on caste basis which militated against Christian principle of equality, making the Christianity unacceptable
Also in Mashonaland missionaries were not very successful
Missionaries were welcome in Mashonaland around Masvingo but later arrested by Lobengula
However, missionaries made some headway in literary work and teaching ,reading and writing
Missionary work began to make headway after colonisation.

[Nov 2004]

59 [a]. Identify any six missionaries who worked in Zimbabwe between 1850 and 1900.[6]

Robert Moffat, J.S. Moffat, Charles Helm, Francois Coillard, William Sykes, Thomas M Thomas, Fr Robert Laws, Knight Bruce, Fr Law, Fr Kroot.

[b]. Describe the role played by missionaries in the colonisation of Zimbabwe.[11]

1836-Mzilikazi signed a treaty with Robert Moffat- establishing a long term friendship that helped the British in the 1880s
The Moffat Agreement in 1888- in which Lobengula was persuaded to drop the Grobler Treaty –Lobengula agreed to be a friend of the British Queen and not to enter into any agreement without the knowledge of the British. Lobengula thought J.S. Moffat was trustworthy. This treaty signed by a missionary led to the signing of the Rudd Concession.
During negotiations ,leading to the Rudd Concession, Rev Charles Helm played a leading role in persuading Lobengula to sign the concession
Missionaries usually played an important role in the link between concession seekers as they spoke local languages.
The establishment of missions, e,g Inyathi and Empandeni, helped those who visited Zimbabwe to find a place to stay[flag followed cross]
The failure of Missionaries to convert many local people to Christianity resulted in some Missionaries e,g J.S. Moffat, to hate the Ndebele State ….”it will be a blessing to the world when they are broken up”. So in a way encouraged the BSAC to use war to destroy the Ndebele State in order to loosen grip on potential converts
Missionary road to the north from South used by whites, trade –encouraged by Missionary groups attracted whites.

[c]. How important was the role played by Missionaries in the colonisation of Zimbabwe? [8]

[i] Importance of Missionaries

Helped in the signing of treaties
Played as a link between Rhodes and Lobengula
Establishment of missions which latter brought literacy
Had knowledge of the culture of the local people
Gave Africans false sense of security

[ii] Other important Factors:

Role of traders ,hunters and explorers
Rhodes and his BSAC regarded the Ndebele State as of strategic importance
The scramble for Southern Africa increased competition for Zimbabwe as an area rich in gold
Lack of unity in the state[Ndebele]
Weakness of the local people militarily
Lack of unity among the Shona.

[Nov2005]

60 [a]. Identify any six aims of Christian missionaries in Matabeleland in the 19^th century. [6]

To convert heathen/spread Christianity
To civilise the Africans
To turn subsistence cultivators into independent commercial producers and craftsmen
To develop an indigenous middle class to maintain and staff churches
To promote legitimate trade
To decampaign slave trade
To promote equality/unity
To colonise/pave way for colonisation

[b]. Describe the work of Christian Missionaries in Matabeleland in the 19^th century.[11]

Mzilikazi allowed J.S. Moffat to establish a mission at Inyathi near Bulawayo[1859]
Lobengula allowed L.MS to open Hope Fountain Mission[1870]
Inyathi and Hope Fountain missionaries taught ,preached and wrote IsiNdebele books
Cultivated crops on land given by Lobengula respectively
Missionaries helped Mzilikazi and Lobengula to:

Repair guns

Inoculate cattle

Treat the sick

Write king’s diplomatic letters

Opened Empandeni near Bulawayo
Missionaries acted as interpreters and advisors
Paved the way to colonisation e,g Charles Helm

[c]. To what extent did the missionaries succeed in their work during this period?

[i]Successes[limited]:

Set up mission stations
Introduced literacy
Introduced better farming methods
Those who showed interest in message sent to distant places or punished

[ii] Failures:

Till 1894 when Matabeleland was colonised by B.S.A C, missionaries produced no following among Ndebele after 30 years effort.
Ndebele had own religion
Ndebele economy based on raiding yet Christianity promoted peace
Ndebele society had castes yet missionaries preached equality
Potential converts punished/sent to remote areas/those who showed interest in Christian message were sent to distant places or punished
LMS and Jesuits then campaigned for destruction of Ndebele State

[Nov 2007]

61[a]. Name six early missionary organizations in Zimbabwe during the 19^th century [6]

London Missionary Society
Roman Catholic Church
Dutch Reformed Church
The Anglican Church
The Paris Evangelical Church
The Berlin Missionary Church
American Board of Foreign Missionary
Methodist Church of Zimbabwe

[b]. Describe the work of the missionary organization in Mashonaland between 1850 and 1900. [11]

Dutch Reformed Church

African evangelists were trained
Francois Coillard of the P.E.M. with evangelist Sehahabane /set up a permanent station at Chivi but was short lived

Berlin Missionary Society

Matibe and Mposi stations- set up by evangelists Madzima and Samuel who did the ground work
In 1886/7 German missionaries were Knothe and Schellnus later came and enjoyed some successes, preaching, teaching skills such as reading and writing, agriculture, carpentry
Building of hospitals
Translating the bible into local languages
Inoculating cattle, repairing guns, crop production, trading, letter writing
Publishing books
Paved way for colonisation
Discouraging traditional practices

Roman Catholic Church

In 1879, Fr Law , tried to establish a mission station in Chief Mzila ‘s land in the border region between Zimbabwe and Mozambique ,these were asked to convert other Africans
Michael Buys opened a station at Zimuto near Masvingo under Chief Mugabe [Morgenster]
Another station was opened at Chief Chivi’s capital and a resident missionary was appointed
They managed to preach ,teach and did literary work

Paris Evangelical Mission

African evangelists and catechists from Lesotho did much of the work ,because it was feared Lobengula would not allow white missionaries to enter Mashonaland
Evangelist expeditions reached Matibe, Mposi, Mudavanhu, Chingoma, Nyamhondo, Chivi, Mugabe, Chilimanzi and Dzike in south eastern Mashonaland stations were opened at these places and preaching was done

Anglican Church

Knight Bruce led an exploratory expedition to the Zambezi in 1888.He visited many Shona chiefs .In 1891 established the Diocese of Mashonaland; a station was opened at St Augustines.

Church of Christ

Established a mission station at Chikore and Mt Selinda[Chirinda] in the eastern province of Manicaland[Chipinge]

[C]. Were Missionaries successful in their work during this period? Explain your answer.[8]

[i] Successes

Managed to convert some Africans though to a limited extent
Printed books
Taught people to read and write, technical skills were imported e,g Mposi ,Morgenster, Mzila, St Augustine
Traditional practices like polygamy etc were discouraged
Introduction of new crops widened the economy
Medical services were made available

[ii].Failures

Some missionaries were attacked and left the area
Only converted very few Africans
Attacked African traditions and divided Africans- Christians and non-Christians
Power of chiefs undermined because chiefs discouraged conversion to Christianity
Famine
diseases

[Nov 2008]

62[a]. Name any six mission stations established by early European missionaries in Zimbabwe before 1900. [6]

Mission Station

Inyathi, Empandeni, Mzila, Hope Fountain, Mashayamombe, Chishawasha, St Augustines,Mt Selinda, Old Mutare, Pendamatenka, Rusitu, Holy Cross, Zimuto, Gokomere, Mposi, Chivi, Bernard Mizeki, Morgenster

[b].Outline the work of Catholic missionaries in Zimbabwe up to 1900.

Jesuits led by Fr Bartholomew Kroot opened Mission at Empandeni and Bulawayo
Used by Ndebele to repair guns, treat the sick and write the king’s letters
Missionaries preached to the people
Missionaries also taught and carried out literary work eg Sindebele books were printed for Ndebele children to read
Depelchin led Jesuits to Zambezi Valley and set up a station at Pandamatenka,he built the “Residence of the Holy Cross”
Chiwashawasha was founded near Salisbury in 1892
Only in the 1895 when many more missions opened were many converts made, after colonisation
Built numerous churches and many converts made, built numerous churches and many converts accepted Christian standards
Built schools that taught reading and writing
They produced grammar books, translated religious and educational books into vernaculars
New crops and vegetables were introduced and new crafts and skills practised e,g carpentry at Chiwashawasha etc
Traded with local people
Paved way for colonisation
Condemned African religion
New farming methods
Introduced livestock breeding
Fr Prestige supported destruction of the Ndebele state

[c].How successful was the work of Catholic Missionaries in Zimbabwe in this period?[8]

Successes:

Established mission stations
Inoculation of cattle transformed African language to written from [Sindebele and Shona]
Translated religions and educational books
Introduced new crops vegetables
New crafts and skills practised
Knowledge to use new implements e,g Saints and ploughs
Established schools
Set up hospitals ,treated the sick
Introduced livestock breeding
Got some new converts
Assisted in colonisation

Failures:

Before colonisation in 1890 made little impact to convert Ndebele Shona
Slave raiding and class system among Ndebele influenced Ndebele kings to discourage conversion
Problems of diseases and poor communication
Opposition from Muslims

[Nov 2009]

63 [a].Name any three missionary societies and their respective leaders who came into Zimbabwe between 1850 and 1900. [6]

London Missionary Society—-J.S. Moffat, C Helm, Price, Sykes, Thomas
Anglican-Knight Bruce
Berlin Missionary Society-Madzima and Samuel
Roman Catholic Church—Fr Bartholomew Kroot, Fr Law, Depelchin
Dutch Reformed Church-Michael Buys
Paris Evangelical Mission-Coillard and Sehahabane

[b] Outline the problems experienced by missionaries in Zimbabwe between 1850 and 1900. [11]

Tropical diseases
Language problems as they tried to communicate with locals/with their home countries
Attacks by animals
Locals resisted Christianity
Transport problems
Shortage of food they were used to
Pressure from political leaders to be involved in colonisation
Caught up in the competition among the European countries
Shortage of medicines
Opposition from African rulers
Human resource shortage[manpower]
Accommodation problems/shelter

[c].To what extent had missionaries solved these problems by 1900? [8]

Methods to solve problems

Missionaries brought medicine
Use of sign language, interpreter from South Africa
Set up schools
Assisted in the colonisation so that their work to spread Christianity was made easy
Created roads
Grew their own crops
Built mission stations
Used African catechists and evangelists
Friendship with African chiefs
Cheated some chiefs

[I] Successes

Had assisted in the colonisation of Zimbabwe
Stations built and clinics built
Were growing own crops
Rapid success after Ndebele had fallen
Appointed some African catechists at some Chiefs’ court

[ii] Failures

Few people converted to Christianity
Not many roads created
Shortage of drugs
Some chased out of the country-Coillard
Some missions abandoned e,g Pandamatenka
Some missionaries killed eg, Bernard Mizeki
African religion remained strong

(Nov 2010)

64.(a)Name any three pioneer missionaries and any three pioneer mission stations in Zimbabwe during the 19^th century. (6)

Pioneer Missionaries:

John Smith Moffat, M.Thomas Morgan, Father Bartholomew Kroot
Charles Helm, Bernard Mizeki, Madzima Samuel

Pioneer Mission Stations:

Inyathi, Hope Fountain
Morgenster Mission, Empandeni
chishawasha

(b).What problems were faced by pioneer missionaries in their work in Zimbabwe during the 19^th Century? (11)

Cultural differences –e,g Christianity had difficulties in converting people
Distrusted as they preached against customs such as killing twins, polygamy, caste system and raiding system
Communication problems-differences in language
Lack of supplies of European goods-food, medicine, tools, clothes
Tropical diseases such as malaria
Hostility of local people
Killing of converts or exiling them, eg in the Ndebele Kingdom
Warfare and raiding created fear among the missionaries
Lack of roads-transport difficulties
Being embroiled in local politics e,g succession disputes
Manpower shortages
Associated with colonisers
Climatic conditions
Literacy
Competition with other religions
Attack from wild animals
Communication with mother countries
Killing of missionaries

(c).To what extent were the missionaries able to solve these problems at that time? (8)

Teaching native children to read and write, learning native languages aided communication and preaching
Clearing roads
Friendship with local chiefs
Building clinics for curing tropical diseases
Growing crops for food
Training of African catechists
Translating of books into vernacular
Promoting colonization

Unsolved

Africans still attached to their traditional religion and culture
Ndebele till cherished caste and raiding systems
Roads and telephones still rare
Africans suspicious of Europeans or Missionaries.

[June 2011]

65[a].Name any six mission stations established in Zimbabwe between 1850 and 1900. [6]

Empandeni, Hope Fountain, Inyathi, Chishawasha, Morgenster
Chivi, Matibi, Mposi, Zimuto, Hartzel, Howard, Mount Selinda
St Augustine, St Dominics, Mutambara, Nhowe, Bernad Mizeki

[b].Outline the work of the London Missionary Society (LMS) in Matabeleland in the 19^th Century. [11]

In 1859 J S Moffat established Inyathi mission
LMS opened Hope Fountain in 1870, at the missions the missionaries taught and preached, grew their own food
J S Moffat signed the Moffat Treaty with Lobengula in Feb 1888
Rev C Helm persuaded Lobengula to sign the Rudd Concession in Oct 1888
Missionaries in Matabeleland encouraged trade between Ndebele and whites
Established schools, hospitals and churches
Converted Ndebele into Christianity
Repaired the king’s guns, wrote king’s letters, treated the sick
Discouraged and undermined African religion and tradition
Taught Ndebeles new skilss such as carpentry, woodwork, metalwork etc
Acte as interpreters (translators)
Promoted literacy (Ndebele were taught how to read and write)

[c].How important was the role played by the LMS in the colonisation of Zimbabwe?

Role played by LMS in colonisation of Zimbabwe.

In Feb 188, J S Moffat signed the Moffat Treaty on behalf of Rhodes. Lobengula agreed to cancel the Grobler treaty
Oct 1888 Rev C Helm influenced Lobengula into signing the Rudd Concession
C Helm recommende the destruction of the Ndebele state
Missionaries hosted uropean visitors from Europe
Missionary road became gateway into the interior of Southern Africa

Other factors

Influence of explorers, hunters, traders and other ambitious people
Rhodes’ Cape to Cairo dream
To exploit mineral resources(second rand expectedin zim)
Prestige, needs for markets and raw materials
Need to invest surplus capital, new technology enabled the British to control foreign lands
Competition among the Boers, Portuguese and Germans
Availability of cheap labour in Zimbabwe
Fertile lands and favourable climatic conditions for European settlement

[Nov 2011]

66.[a]. State any six reasons why the local people resisted missionary influence in Zimbabwe between 1850 and 1900. [6]

Missionary formal education was meaningless to African way of life
Lack of material gains
Did not want to abandon their traditional religion
Feared their trade would be disturbed
Did not want to learn a new languge
Christianity denounced aspects such as raiding
Attacked African administrative systems
Suspected missionaries of having colonial aims
Influence from traditional leaders / religious leaders
Influence of islam
Whites blamed for natural calamities eg Drought, diseases,fever

[b].Outline the ways ised by local people to resist missionary influence in Zimbabwe between 1850 and 1900. [11]

Moved far away from missionary settlements
Continued to practise traditional religion
Raids continued
Refused to attend schools
Killed some missionaries
Refused to give food to missionaries
Accused some missionaries of spies
Punished or killed potential converts
Accused missionaries of using forbidden routes
Expulsion of missionaries
Some Africans continued to follow islam
Some continued to trade with Muslims
Movement of missionaries was restricted.
Refused to work for the missionaries
African leaders discouraged people from attending churches.

[c].Were these people successful in resisting missionary influence at that time? Explain your answer. [8].

Successes

Many people not converted
Few people attended schools
Killed some missionaries
Some converts were killed
Refused to learn the new language
Expulsion of missionaries
Some point s in B applies.

Failures

Hospitals were built
Some people were converted
Other people were educated
Mission stations were established
Schools were built
All missionary successes were failures by Africans to resist.

Missionaries in Zimbabwe (Questions and Answers)

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