African an agency in evangelism and education at Rusangu mission in Monza district of Zambia, 1905-2012.
Date
2021
Authors
Masiliso, Conellia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
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.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Religious education. , Evangelistic work. , Christian universities and colleges--Africa--Congresses. , Theology--Study and teaching--Africa--Congresses.