Thursday 8 December 2011

Shawbury Circuit

Location

Shawbury is situated about 50km from Umthatha, the former capital town of the then Transkei homeland in the Mpondomiseland in Qumbu district.

Tsitsa River

Umzimvubu River


It lies between two rivers - the Tsitsa and Umzimvubu - which are well respected by the Mpondomise people as the place of the dwelling of their kings and it is in Tsitsa where the Mpondomise kings were buried. Shawbury circuit was extensive, covering an area of probably 3000 square miles and embracing the whole Qumbu and a large portion of the Libode district east of the Tsitsa river.

The Shawbury Area


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History

The name Shawbury is associated more with the Institution of Education than with the church.
The circuit is one of the oldest circuits in the Clarkebury district and in the MCSA.
According to the certificate of occupation, Shawbury received the deed of grant in 1891.
Shawbury was not the one of the chain of stations which were planted by Rev William Shaw, but it is an offspring of Rev William Shaw’s missionary work.
The name Shawbury was given by the missionaries to the honour of that great leader William Shaw.
The name, Shawbury, first appeared in the minutes of the meeting which was held in 1843.
It was Chief Ncaphayi of the amaBhaca who had sent the message asking for missionary, for purpose of education and development after the ravage of the wars of that time. Those messengers were sent to Grahamstown, with a present of a pair of tusks. W.H Garner was the first missionary appointed at Shawbury.
Chief Mhlontlo heartily supported Rev William Shaw Davis in his plan of building of a school for indigenous girls in Shawbury.
The great work started and education was the core of the life of Shawbury circuit which impacts the whole region of Transkei and beyond.

The Church Building

A Manse


Another Manse

The Church Building


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Places of Interest

Kitchen Bake House

Workshop and Garage


Teacher's Cottage

Reservoir


Workshop

The Old Chapel


Old Houses from the Missionaries

An Old Fridge House for Dairy Products

 

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