African an agency in evangelism and education at Rusangu mission in Monza district of Zambia, 1905-2012.

Abstract

This study is of the African Agency in Evangelism and Education at Rusangu Mission in Monze district of Southern Province of Zambia, covering the period from 1905 to 2012. The study focused on Rusangu Mission which was founded in 1905 on the eastern plateau of Monze by a missionary, William Harrison Anderson and his team from the United States of America. Anderson, belonging to Seventh Day Adventist church was sent by the worldwide mission, established in 1874 to evangelise to the international community on the Adventist faith. Specifically, the study sought to analyse the development of Rusangu Mission from 1905 to 2012. The development of the mission among the Tonga people brought the knowledge of reading and writing, and conversion to Christianity. Western education resulted in white collar jobs among the Africans. The introduction of new methods of farming under industrial skills improved the yields of crops grown in the area. The study also examined the role played by African Agents in the evangelisation of Africans at Rusangu Mission. Converted African teachers - evangelists and pastors played a role in deserting practices of worshipping the Supreme Being, traditional Leza at the sacred spot Tinti or Malende (shrine). Through evangelism, some converted Africans abandoned the traditional beliefs and practices, and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. The study further investigate the impact of African agents in the provision of education at Rusangu Mission. The African agents of Rusangu mission contributed vastly to the spread of literacy and industrial training among the Plateau Tonga. Specifically, the development of agriculture among the mission-educated Africans also contributed to the rise in political consciousness among the Plateau Tonga. The study further reveal that the African agents contributed to the development of man power both in colonial and post-colonial Zambia in education. Therefore, it is concluded that the development of Rusangu Mission was not a mono-effort by the missionaries as Africans equally played a vital role in evangelisation and provision of education at the mission.