Welcome to Inanda Seminary, where Susan is the
chaplain! Susan serves the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, in the
Kwa-Zulu Natal region of South Africa. The Seminary was founded in 1869 by American
missionaries from New England. Susan serves Inanda Seminary on behalf of Global
Ministries (United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ). The above building is
Stanwood Hall and this building's colonial architecture is a perfect example of how the
Inanda campus can transport you back in time!
Inanda Seminary opened its doors more than a
century ago when Mary K.
Edwards, an American missionary, was appointed by the American Board to open
the first high school for African girls in South Africa. On March 1st,
1869, the first nineteen students were enrolled and from that day to the
present, thousands of girls have gone into the world remembering and
exemplifying the schools motto of "SHINE WHERE YOU ARE." The seeds for
this
work in Inanda had been planted in 1835 when six American couples were sent
to South Africa to begin work among the Bantu-speaking peoples of this
country. One of these families, the Daniel Lindley's moved into their new
home at Inanda in October, 1858, and began the work of establishing the
Inanda Mission Station. Soon many, primarily Zulu speaking people, were
calling the area surrounding the mission station "home" and the need for a
girls school to train teachers, as well as wives for the young men teachers
and preachers being trained at Amanzimtoti, became evident. The mission
allocated fifty pounds to Mr. Lindley to begin the project of building the
school. That same year he erected the earliest building, the Mission House,
which is now a National Monument and is used today as the administration
block.
At the same time, a call had gone out to the American Board and the Woman's
Board of Missions in the United States to begin the search for a suitable
"unmarried female" to fill the position of teacher and head of a new girls
school which was being built at Inanda, in Natal, South Africa. Mrs.
Edwards, who had recently become widowed and who was dissatisfied with the
work she was then engaged in, began to investigate foreign mission work.
She had learned much through observation of her husbands successful work as
Principal and Administrator of a school in their home town and felt that she
might be of value in that type of service. In 1868 she received and
accepted her appointment to Inanda and the preparation began.
The steamship journey from America was long, frightening and tedious, but
Mrs. Edwards persevered. She arrived with forty boxes of school equipment
and personal goods to set up housekeeping in her newly assigned home. Upon
arrival she wrote, "The country is fine, the road from Durban to Inanda is
delightful; the scenery is picturesque; sometimes bold and rugged." She was
ready to begin a life's journey that would continue until September 23, 1927
when, at the age of 98 years, she died at Inanda.
From the beginning, when the first bricks were fired for the first school
building, Inanda Seminary, as the school was to be called, has attracted
young women looking for more than just an academic education. At first,
Christian nurturing and home-making skills were pre-eminent. Mrs. Edwards,
with her American thinking and ways occasionally differed with the Mission
"fathers" in her ideas of educating "females." However, Mr.
Lindley, after
a few months of working with her, wrote in part, "The female Seminary with
Mrs. Edwards at the head is now fairly under way, with twenty-two pupils.
The lady named, whom you sent to conduct it, is, we believe, exactly the
right 'man' in the right place! Out of this school we expect much good to
come for this life, and for the life hereafter."
Mr. Lindley's words have rung true down through the years and today, after
several years of stress and turmoil inflicted during the later Apartheid
era, Inanda Seminary stands on the thresh-hold of re-birth. In 1980s the
United Church Board of World Ministries in America turned over the running
of the Seminary to the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa which
did its best to keep the school open amid rising financial restraints.
After some time and a brief time of Government intervention, it was decided
to close Inanda Seminary. Upon learning of this possibility, a group of
dedicated and industrious "old girls," concerned women, who had been
students at Inanda Seminary, led the march forward to re-kindle the flames
of their school. In 1998, they asked for, and received permission to
re-develop the school program, restoring it to its former capacity and
reputation. They nurtured the vision of returning to the time when the
institution was well known for its excellent matric results and for
producing women who have gone on to excel and occupy positions as
responsible leaders in all fields of endeavor. Their mission stressed the
development of independent African women of high caliber who would become
leaders in the new South Africa. They have worked long and diligently and
sincere thanks must be given them for their effort.
Inanda Seminary is a Section 21 Company (not for gain) incorporating
academic activities and a community outreach program. The Company is
administered by a Board of Governors (BOG) who have been given control,
under the auspices of the UCC of Southern Africa, and are charged with the
responsibility of deciding on policies of finance, management, property,
education, staff appointments, school rules and regulations and public
relations.
Recently, Inanda Seminary was promoted by former President Nelson Mandela to
the South African Pulp and Paper Industry (SAPPI). Because of their very
generous contribution, the Seminary has received a much needed and beautiful
facelift. New roofing, electrical work, flooring, painting both inside and
out, brick paths and gardens has enhanced the overall appearance of the
institution. The smiles on the faces of the students warm the atmosphere as
they now show off their school, with pride in its appearance.
Inanda
Chapel
As Chaplain of Inanda Seminary, Susan addresses the
spiritual, psychological, and medical wellbeing of the students. Currently, 245 are
enrolled. One of Susan's major objectives is to further integrate the United
Congregational Church of Southern Africa into the life of the Seminary so that a mutual
partnership is formed. Susan is also helping to build relationships between the
students at Inanda Seminary and the children who reside at a local orphanage.
Susan's weekly duties include conducting Sunday worship service, Sunday evening
fellowship, guidance counseling classes, morning vesper services, and many, many, many
odds and ends. In many ways, Susan is holding a 24/7 confirmation class for over two
hundred young girls. Such a large, comprehensive, and thorough 'confirmation' class
will surely benefit these young girls for the rest of their lives.
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