Genadendal

Moravian missionaries founded Genadendal - the valley of grace - in 1738, making it the first mission station in South Africa, and it grew into something the surrounding colony found uncomfortable: a self-governing community of Khoi converts with trades, a school, and by 1838 the first teacher training college in the country, at a time when educating that population was not colonial policy. The mission press printed in Dutch and Khoi languages. The village square is lined with thatched whitewashed cottages, the 1891 church, the old mill and the mission complex, and the museum in the original buildings holds the press, the trade workshops and the archive. Nelson Mandela renamed the presidential residence in Cape Town Genadendal in 1995 in recognition of the place. It is small, quiet and largely unchanged in layout.

History

The Moravian missionary George Schmidt settled at Baviaanskloof on 23 April 1738, founding the first mission station in southern Africa, but left in 1744. Three Moravian missionaries revived it at Christmas 1792, its chapel was consecrated in 1796, it was renamed Genadendal, valley of grace, in 1806, and the country's first teachers' training college opened here in 1838 (Wikipedia, Genadendal).

The main sights

• The 1738 foundation - the first mission station in South Africa, around a village square.
• The teacher college - the country's first, opened here in 1838.
• The mission press - printing in Dutch and Khoi languages, preserved in the museum.
• The thatched cottages - whitewashed houses in the original village layout.

When to go

September to April. Half a day. Museum hours are limited, particularly at weekends.

Good to know

The museum keeps short hours and can be closed unexpectedly. The village is poor and has few services for visitors. Roads in are narrow. It is a living community, not a heritage park - photograph houses with courtesy.

Nearby

Greyton is minutes away; Elim is south toward the coast.

Key facts