Apostle of Lesotho Chapter Two

Their host welcomed his guests

Joseph set about immediately to master two languages foreign to him; English and Zulu. He and Father Barret went to live in a Zulu village to learn the people's customs and language. Bishop Allard authorised them to establish themselves in the krall of Chief Dumisa, some thirty hours' travel from Pietermaritzburg. There were no roads or railways. The only mode of transport, ox wagons, proved too expensive for the missionaries. They left, accompanied by a guide. On the first day bad weather overtook them in the middle of a vast and almost uninhabited plain. They were forced to abandon their route to find shelter in a hut they had sighted from far. Their host, though poor, welcomed his drenched guests with kindness, fed them and allowed them to sleep in his hut for the night while their clothes were drying.


They were not to be left dry for long. At the crack of dawn on the next day they left and soon reached a small river, swollen by rain. With the water reaching to waist level, they crossed the stream. From place to place they met inhabitants, all of whom treated them with kindness and fed them hospitably.


On the third day they found themselves on the banks of the Umkomali River, a swift and deep stream, and wondered how to reach the other side. This is where the zimanga came in. They were excellent swimmers who would manufacture a bushel using reeds which had been strongly bound together. When someone wanted to cross the river, the bushel was cast into the water. The traveller would sit astride on the bundle, and would then move forward, taking care to keep balanced. Thus the top part of the body, or at least the head, would drift above the water. The zimanga would push the bushel from behind with one hand, then swim with the other and with their feet. Gerard described the crossing in a letter to his parents. Barret had anxiously watched Joseph's progress. No sooner was he a few steps into the water than the bark capsized. Upon a second attempt, Barret reached the opposite shore, though their maize grinder was lost in his shipwreck. A man started diving to recover it and succeeded in doing so.


By evening they reached a big kraal of some thirty huts. Their wealthy host arranged for them to be served with food. Next morning the two men rose very early. They crossed a high mountain to find themselves in an almost deserted part of vast forests, avoided by people on account of the many lions and wild animals roaming about. Joseph was enchanted by a small incident. The guide was walking ahead in order to prepare the way. Suddenly the priests could hear him speak to a bird, which was making a loud chirping noise and flapping its wings. The guide seemed to be encouraging it by talking to it.
"This is the honeybird," he called to the travellers. "The honeybird?" they repeated.
"Yes, this bird wants to lead us to a place where honey may be found."
The guide laid down his pack and told his companions to wait for his return. He followed the bird which kept flying ahead and chirping and then returning to him, as though to ask him to follow it. He had to abandon his search when the bird reached a steep rock.
Next day the guide was again called by a honeybird. This time he was more fortunate, bringing back a large quantity of wild honey. The two priests marvelled at the occurrence.


The journey ended without further incidents. They finally arrived in the great kraal of Chief Dumisa and went into his hut, to find him surrounded by about twenty young men, sitting in a circle, passing a pot of beer around. There was silence when the visitors entered. Then all the men greeted the two priests. One asked what they were looking for. The priests replied that they were representatives whose mission was to teach the people about God's affairs without asking for money.

Chief Dumisa received them hospitably. He put a hut at their disposal. All sorts of good were brought in to them. Then men, women and children came to have a look at their unusual guests. A goat, a gift from Chief Dumisa, was slaughtered and shared by the priests with their visitors. Then they were left to themselves.


A period of great activity ensued. Joseph built a small chapel, revealing a talent for the building trade. He also built a hut for himself and Father Barret. The first time it was a failure. The second attempt was more successful. When the rains became too heavy and penetrated the straw roof, he put up his umbrella and a goatskin. Then he would turn over and go back to sleep.


In September 1855 the two priests opened their chapel for the first time. A great number of people attended. The priests sang hymns and the Zulus began to hum along with them in a melodious sound. Joseph and Barret took French religious hymns and put Zulu words to them. The Zulus loved the litany to Mary of Nazareth because of the repetition of the words: "Pray for us".


Joseph had a gift for languages and became rapidly fluent in Zulu. He was able to preach and communicate fully with people. The mission was eventually suspended, and in 1862 Bishop Allard, Brother Bernard and Joseph set out on horseback for Lesotho. The magnanimous leader of the Basotho, King Moshoeshoe, had forged the people who had fled from tribal wars in the south into a single nation. He was an outstanding leader. It was here among the Basotho that Joseph would become a spiritual leader to thousands.