Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

-199-
"Self-support; self-government; selfpropagation.
"IS
This was the mandate of the mission, but in KwaZulu, as in many other
mission fields, the goal often seemed to be receding rather than
approaching. This became apparent in the annual report of the American
board's mission for 1860.'6 Mr. Bridgeman reported:
"Though we had no success, that would
not diminish our obligation, or relieve us
ofour duty, to preach the gospel. Though
there had been no converts, though our
discouragements were increased a
hundredfold, though the heathen were, if
possible, more depraved than they now
are, so long as we have the command,
'Go ye into all the world... ' we would
desire cheerfully to continue our work
and leave results with God. " 17
Contrary to the above statement one could argue that there were, though
intermittent, Zulu converts (known as Amakholwa) of the same mission
and others as early as 1845. The strategy of winning the Zulu nation en
masse to Christianity through Mpande's court did bear fruits. The
following table represents the average size of the Sabbath audiences, of
is
16
17
R. Sales (Ed): Adventuring with God - the storv ofthe American Board Mission in
South Africa, p. 89.
L. Grout Rev.: Zululand. or life among the Zulu Kaffirs ofNatal and Zululand,
pp. 225 - 226.
Ibid., p. 225 - 226.