The Community in Southern Africa
In 1960, four African sisters came to the Convent of the Holy Name, Malvern. This was the first move to amalgamate two communities – the Community of St Mary at the Cross in Lesotho, and the Community of the Holy Name (CHN) in England.
In 1962 the four African sisters and five English sisters returned to Lesotho to establish CHN Lesotho. At the time, apartheid was in its ascendancy in South Africa. A multi-racial community in Lesotho was an important witness against racism and this is still an important strand in the Community’s vocation.
CHN Lesotho has about 20 sisters and is now a province of the Community with its own Superior, Chapter and Council.
Sisters continue the pastoral and evangelical work of the Community in Lesotho with their involvement in children’s work and as ‘volunteers of love’ helping with and caring for families with HIV/Aids.
Pictures from left: Julia with a local priest; Sister Hilda Tsepiso; Convent Chapel at Leribe, Lesotho; Sister Gertrude in Namibia
In 1969, three Zulu sisters helped to establish a province in Zululand after training in Lesotho and England. There are now more than 50 sisters in the Community and they work as teachers in local schools, as nurses in nearby hospitals, as well as engaging in evangelistic work in the diocese, for instance mission and retreat work.
Pictures from left: Sr Jabu on the maternity unit; Sr Gertrude Jabuliswe giving out sweets;
Sr Maureen visiting the local hospital; Sr Monica as Provincial Superior visiting in Zululand
Producing food and working in the garden of the Convents is an important aspect of Community life in the southern Africa provinces.
There is a close relationship between the three provinces and the provincial superiors meet regularly.
Sr Julia and Nokubongwa with Sr Monica on their visit to Derby in Summer 2009
