The roots of the tremendous commitment that South Africans have to the Christian religion can be traced to the past works of the missionaries and the pioneering formal Theological Training Schools. The lack of the judicious conservation and safe keeping of the historical records of some of the past missionary work and the valuable early formal Ministerial and Evangelical Training Schools for Africans have made them to be forgotten with the lapse of time.

This is the case with the historic Lesseyton Methodist Theological Training School which survived for 33 years from 1883 to 1916 and produced renowned alumni who were part of the liberation struggle in South African. Former Presidents of the African National Congress (ANC), Sefako Makgatho and Rev. Z.R. Mahabane were trained at the Methodist Church as reverends.

With the dilapidated structure, undocumented history, loss of memory about the Lesseyton Methodist Seminary, there is a dire need to rehabilitate and preserve its remaining structure; stimulate its rich past to be alive and to recognise the distinguished contributions and achievements of the alumni that have contributed to the liberation struggle of South Africa.

The Church will for the first time host a panel of renowned speakers and academics including Adv. Sonwabile Mancotywa – CEO of the National Heritage Council; Mr Trevor Webster (Descendent of the founding Principal); Prof. Graham Duncan (Author of an article on the Lesseyton) and Prof Andre Odendaal (Author of a book that includes a conference of the African Native Congress conference of 1902 held at Lesseyton) on the historical information of the Lesseyton Methodist Seminary & Mission Station and the site’s heritage importance.

There will be a tour at the historic site at 12h00 followed by the Information Sharing session which will commence at 17h00.

Date:     Friday, 09 February 2018

Venue:  Lesseyton Methodist Seminary; Lesseyton Society, Queenstown & Lesseyton Circuit 302

Time:    12h00

Logistics contact Mkhululi Auwa: 083 398 1377

For interview arrangements please contact Linda Shilakwe, 012 348 1663 / 082 657 7064 / danny@nhc.org.za