Call to preserve site of first Xhosa Bible
With much-needed investment, the historical building in which the first Xhosa Bible was printed between 1857 and 1859, could soon become a tourist attraction, a goal the National Heritage Council seeks to achieve.
The small stone building is located in Mount Coke, near King William’s Town, on the grounds of the Methodist Church.
Speaking at the launch of the heritage and tourism goals for Mount Coke at the church on Saturday, the council’s CEO, Sonwabile Mancotywa, called for “intensive effort” from relevant agencies to protect and conserve the building, as well as other heritage sites, so that tourists could visit them.
“The building is the only asset that the village has. It has to be protected to develop the economy of the community.
“It does not matter if we declare a site as a monument but without preservation that site will remain an abstract space that brings no economic development to the community,” said Mancotywa.
Until a few years ago, the building had been in pristine condition, he said.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, the building has suffered due to neglect and the corrugated iron roofing was removed, the windows were taken, the yellowwood ceiling boards disappeared and now it is a shell of its former status.”
Mancotywa said it was a shame as it was the only her- itage site of significance in the village.
“We also need to admit that our provincial heritage resources agency has failed us in this regard. Under the apartheid government, the building had a bronze plaque explaining its significance. But for whatever reason, the provincial heritage agency has failed to protect this building,” he said.
Mancotywa said with funding from the provincial department of economic development, environmental affairs and tourism, the building could become a heritage tourism site.
“The next step is for the church to do research on the history, and if necessary, reinterpret and recontextualise the history of the site,” Mancotywa said.