Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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permission to start missionary work in the hinterland of KwaZulu and to
present the basic aims of his missionary enterprise.·' On both occasions
Mpande and his council gave their arguments for not giving Schreuder
admittance to their country." These arguments consisted, according to
Schreuder's report, of the following two elements: On the one hand,
Mpande and his council expressed that they had been convinced of no
utility in having missionaries residing with them. Their question was:
"... Ofwhat use could the missionaries be
to them; their people did not know how to
be taught the accomplishments of the
missionaries; they solely knew ... how to
walk on their feet, to erect fences just as
their ancestors and big men of the past
had done. They were black people and
how then could the knowledge ... and
behaviour of the Whites penetrate
them ... ? "1"
On the other hand, the Christian IillSSlOn, by this time, was already
considered to represent a significant peril to undermine Zulu political
system." With reference to their experience with missionary Grout
earlier, Mpande and his council argued that they:
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63
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.5
Missionary Herald, 1843. p. 17: R. Mael: The Problem of Political Integration in the Zulu
Empire (Unpublished PhD Thesis. California. 1974). pp. 169 - 172.
G.E Cory (Ed.): The Diary ofthe Rev. Francis Owen. MA Missionary with Din""an in
1837-8, p. 71.
Rev. H. Schreuder: Nogle Ord tiI Norges Kirke om Christelig Pligt med Hensvn til Omsorg for
ikkechristne Medbrodres Salighed, p. 241.
Ibi,L p. 242.