Background and History

The African Native Church or African Native Mission Church was founded on 14 January 1892 at Hillside, Sterkspruit in the Colony of Good Hope (Eastern Cape Province). It was founded in a “Cave” at Hillside, in the Herschel District, Sterkspruit. The inception of African Native Mission Church came out of burning desire of Rev Jonas Goduka and others to restore dignity of all native people, and serve God in their own way than being subjected to discriminative treatment of other churches and more over he believed that primitive baptism was by immersion than sprinkling which was practiced by other churches.

Initially, the Church used both names “African Native Church” and “African Native Mission Church” respectively, but more of the first than the latter, until late 1980’s when it became so politically tense such that the Church had to use only African Native Mission Church, because Apartheid Government showed some concerns about the “African Native Church” which was abbreviated as ANC, similar to the political party and on many occasions ministers and members of African Native Church were harassed by Apartheid Law Enforcement Agencies because of the abbreviation similarity. Its founder, Jonas Goduka was born of the Ngqika tribe near King William's Town in 1846, and not long afterwards his parents moved to Fort Beaufort where he grew up. In 1869 he got married in Christian rites to Hannah Goduka.

He began to work as a candidate for the ministry of the Methodist Church late in 1879. In 1885 he was ordained in Durban by the Rev. Richard Ridgill who, at the time, was president of the Methodist Conference. He served first at Queenstown and then, from 1890, at Herschel in the Eastern Cape. It was during the years Rev Jonas Goduka spent as Minister at Methodist Church, that he got exposed to racial segregated, separate district meetings, poor wages on native ministers, lack of understanding from white ministers and no family allowances for African ministers had become the accepted form of church government and Rev Jonas Goduka resented this, nonetheless, he resigned voluntarily citing baptism by sprinkling as his reason for leaving the Methodist Church in 1891 and founded African Native Mission Church, assisted by number of other prominent founding members.

He drew up its first and founding constitution which was confirmed on 11 April 1898 by the General Committee Meeting, held at Blikana, Herschel, and its Trust Deed document that he completed in 14 June 1904. African Native Mission Church, in its inception years was blessed to be led by intellectually astute Minister (Rt. Rev Jonas Goduka), who besides drafting the African Native Mission Church first constitution and Trust Deed Document; also established theological School and composed the said church own hymns, with assistance of his wife Hannah Goduka and others.

The said church was one of the first African Independent Churches to be allowed to register as religious body by the Native Affairs Department in 1890’s. The said church after it had managed to secure registration, it immediately attracted some membership from Thembu National Church founded in 1884, who’s founding leader(Nehemiah Xoxo Tile) had died before he could successfully register this church, as the department declined its registration application citing its name as being tribal. The joining Thembu National Church was led by Rev Charles Kula who was familiar with Rev Jonas Goduka during their time at Methodist Church and was also well aware of Goduka’s leadership capabilities; hence it was quite easier for them to take a decision to join his church. The Church practices more than one Christian denomination credence leaning more towards Baptist and Methodism.

The headquarters of said Church is situated at Hillside (eMqolombeni), in Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape Province, whereas the High Mission is at the official Residence of the Presiding Bishop of the said Church, as prescribed by the said Church Trust Deed document.

In its early years, the African Native Church/African Native Mission Church had its membership base only in the Colony of Good Hope (Eastern Cape Province) and few male members were found around big cities informal outskirts such as Langabuya Township near Paarl, Water Tank in Nyanga, Cape Town, Mohaleshoek in Basutoland (Lesotho) and Bethel in Transvaal, where they spread the Gospel. Today the church is all over South Africa.

The doctrines of the said Church is derived from the Old and New Testament Scriptures, and that the following tenets are being upheld, taught and preached among the members and friends of the said Church and among all people who will are willing to listen to the preaching thereof, that is to say:-

• The inspiration of the Old and New Testament Scriptures
• The Holy Trinity or the Doctrine that there are Three Persons in the Devine Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
• Adam, the First Man, was created in a state of bliss, but by sin he fell and brought into the World and all our woe.
• Jesus Christ, Our Lord, died for all and rose again from the dead.
• The Redemption of sinners by the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
• The Repentance of Sinners to life
• Justification by Faith

And generally, the Doctrine of Forgiveness, brotherly Love, Faith, Hope and Charity The church has for decades been involved with missionary work, assisting vulnerable families during trying times in our country.

The church had been presided over by the following Presiding Pastors:

• Rt. Rev Jonas Goduka -1892 – 1914
• Rt. Rev Enoch B. Goduka 1914 – 1925
• Rt. Rev Arnold Goduka 1925 – 1958
• Vicar Bishop Brigg Nkolongwane 1958 – 1959 (acting capacity)
• Rt. Rev Wycliffe Ngxekane 1958 – 1972 (suspended)
• Vicar Bishop Baldwin N. Goduka 1972 – 1975 (Acting Capacity)
• Rt. Rev Baldwin N. Goduka 1976 – 1987
• Rt. Rev David N.M Ntlahla 1988 – 1993
• Vicar Bishop John D. Mrhwebi 1993 – 1993 (Acting Capacity)
• Vicar Bishop James B.F Mlindazwe 1994 – 1994 (Acting Capacity)
• Rt. Rev Steven Z. Ngxabazi 1994 – 2008 (Resigned)
• Rt. Rev Abram M. Mantlani 2008 – current.

The church has also experienced some unpleasant rough periods during its decades of existence such as splits and being dragged to court on few occasions. In 1930’s, the church lost some of its property due to the then land act.

• First split of 1919 was led by Rev Klaas Masiko.
• The second split occurred in 1973 led by Wycliffe Ngxekane
• The third slight split took place in 1985 led by Rev Xengana
• The last split happened in 2000 led by Rev Raymond B. Dyonta