In recent years there has been a great mass migration of Bantu people from their native villages and the reserves, to the cities and towns of the union and principally the reef, so that tribal life and custom is disappearing rapidly. Without doubt South Africa faces one of the most complicated social problems in the world today.
Vast masses of the Bantu population have settled in native compounds and locations, as they are called, under the supervision of the various mining interests and town municipalities. The matter of presenting the gospel message to this class of people is in many respects different from presenting the message to the inhabitants of the hinterland. In many ways it is difficult.
During the months of September and October we conducted an effort in one of these locations. It was for the Bantu people in the Roodepoort location, twelve miles from Johannesburg. Recently one of the worst tornadoes to visit this country swept through the European section of this community, destroying five hundred houses, killing four people and injuring over one hundred, and destroying property to the value of a million pounds sterling.
Before starting our meetings, permission was obtained from the city council to erect a big marquee at the entrance to the location. This permission having been obtained, the tent was erected with an approximate seating capacity of five hundred. Electric-light current, which enabled us to use a stereopticon, was supplied by the municipal authorities.
Song sheets with thirty-six songs were prepared in Zulu, Sesuto, and English; and handbills announcing the speaker, subject, and time of meetings were prepared and circulated in sufficient numbers to cover the whole location. During these meetings forty subjects were covered and reviewed. The procedure was as follows:
From 7:30 to 7:45 P.M., song service, led by a Bantu worker.
Then 7:45 to 8:00, review of the previous subject, by means of pictures thrown on the screen. This review was given by another Bantu worker.
And 8:00 to 8:10 questions were answered. We informed the congregation that we hoped all questions would be of a Biblical or spiritual nature, and, better still, on subjects already covered in order to clear up any questions on the material given. To a large extent this request was respected, and very few embarrassing questions were asked.
From 8:10 to 8:45, and never longer than 9 :00 P.M., the subject was presented.
During the course of the lectures a number of calls were made. At first these were very simple, becoming progressively comprehensive as the people were able to follow. When the final call was made thirty-eight took their stand. This, however, was not final in a sense, for they were first required to join a baptismal class, which may last from one to two years,. at the completion of which a thorough examination is given before baptism. In all probability the number will increase, because the more timid and fearful, who were afraid to take a final stand in public, will attend the meetings to be held from week to week, covering all of our teachings.
During the meetings a band of Bantu workers, stationed at the location for the period, went out as Bible workers, inviting the people and giving Bible studies. Notebooks were kept with all the names and addresses of interested people, and a report was given from time to time.
Importance of Follow-up Work
In some respects the follow-up work here is more important than the period of the effort itself. It is during this time that souls are gathered and established in the church. At Roodepoort the question of accommodation was so acute that no homes were available. One of our strong Bantu workers has been asked to visit the community three times a week to care for the interests.
This effort, with minor modifications, would be similar to one for a European community. But one must remember that this Bantu community at Roodepoort has abandoned its tribal life, and is actually emerging into a different civilization, and calls for different methods and techniques. And what may be said of Roodepoort may also be said of hundreds of settlements, locations, and compounds throughout the Union of South Africa.
