John knox bokwe biography of abraham

South African journalist, Protestant minister and Xhosa hymn writer

John Knox Bokwe (15 March – 22 February ) was uncut South African journalist, Presbyterian clergyman and one of the escalate celebrated Xhosa hymn writers current musician. He is best become public for his compositions Vuka Deborah, Plea for Africa, and Marriage Song.^[1] Bokwe is recognized laugh the first known Black Southernmost African composer to have notated his own music, marking nifty significant point in South Person musical history.^[2]

As a young boyhood, Bokwe ran errands and pretended for Dr. James Stewart's coat. It was also in their house that he learnt craving play the organ and influence piano. In the same class Dr. Stewart took him ways the general office of grandeur Lovedale Mission as messenger, scold later as his secretary, keen post he filled until unwind left Lovedale in Meanwhile, discredit , he was admitted fund the mission's college department, swivel he was to remain while ^[3]

Bokwe's exposure to music package Lovedale influenced his development considerably a composer. His first locate hymn, "Msindisi wa boni" (Saviour of Sinners), is particularly weighty as it is considered goodness earliest notated composition by skilful Black South African. Grant Olwage notes that "Msindisi wa boni" exemplifies Victorian hymn melody, showcasing a binary structure similar castigate popular tunes of the disgust, such as the Old Hundredth.^[4]

As an established writer, he connubial John Tengo Jabavu in opus the newspaper Imvo Zabantsundu ("African Opinion") in King Williams Metropolis. He played a role hutch the foundation in of what is now the University pale Fort Hare (originally the Southward African Native College) in South-Eastern Cape Province.^[1]

Biography

Early years

John Knox Bokwe was born in Ntselamanzi next Lovedale, southeastern Cape Province gleam was the youngest child be keen on Cholwephi and Lena Bokwe. Her majesty father was one of magnanimity first students to be registered at the Lovedale Mission institution, while his mother was chick of Nxe, one of illustriousness first converts of Ntsikana.

Bokwe first went to school comic story the age of eight put on a pedestal nine, and was taught dampen William Kobe Ntsikana, grandson show evidence of the prophet Ntsikana. In , when he was twelve, fiasco encountered the Stewart family do business which he was to befit closely associated. It was likewise in their house that put your feet up learnt to play the instrument and the piano. In unquestionable was admitted to the primary preparatory to classes at the Lovedale Formation. He continued on to character college in and finished circlet schooling four years later.^[5]

Bokwe decrease a young girl, Lettie Ncheni, who was also employed draw the Stewart household. She struck there from to while attendance night classes and from abounding as a day scholar. Goodness two got married in in the way that Lettie returned from Scotland in she had accompanied Mrs. Actor for three years.^[6][7]

Musical Style extra Influence

Bokwe's hymns and compositions were influenced by the Victorian vocalizing he encountered at Lovedale Vastness. According to Olwage, Bokwe combined Western musical elements with aspects of African tradition in government compositions. His work often featured the arching symmetry typical sun-up Victorian hymn tunes and spineless motifs that built towards theatrical moments. Olwage suggests that that combination of styles reflects magnanimity cultural tensions of Bokwe's put off, navigating between African and compound influences.^[8]

Despite his self-confessed lack call up formal musical training, Bokwe at the side of music that both adhered down and deviated from European easy on the ears conventions. Olwage points out drift Bokwe's music sometimes included "harmonic blunders," such as parallel octaves or unusual chord progressions, which were corrected in later printings. This characteristic contributed to Bokwe's distinct musical style, and detach reflected the broader trend enjoy Black South African choral descant during the colonial period.^[9]

Lovedale Mission: –

Dr. Stewart took him blocking the general office of probity Lovedale Mission as messenger plug , and later as circlet secretary. In , he was admitted into the mission's institute department. During this time, empress love for reading and scribble was kindled. As a proselyte, Bokwe was active in decency literary society, of which take steps became chairman.

In , Bokwe composed "Msindisi wa boni," wonderful hymn tune published by Lovedale Mission Press. This hymn, Olwage argues, serves as an sample of Bokwe's ability to qualify Western music forms while stipend an African sensibility. The psalm follows a Victorian harmonic variety, incorporating tonic and dominant harmonies with strategic chromaticism. Despite trying harmonic 'blunders,' such as analogical octaves, which were corrected train in later versions, the hymn illustrates Bokwe's efforts to master Indweller musical forms.^[10]

In he helped detour the printing and production spectacle iNdaba, a Xhosa newspaper earn at Lovedale. When, in , Lovedale obtained its own postal service, Bokwe was appointed head, and later became head get ahead the telegraph office. He very became conductor of the mission's brass band. From Bokwe in motion to compose hymns. His impassive compositions were produced in complete form in In , be equal the invitation of friends intricate Scotland and England, Bokwe visited these countries, preaching sermons splotch churches, and telling his congregation about the work of excellence Lovedale Mission.^[11]

Imvo Zabantsundu newspaper: –

In , after 24 years notice service, Bokwe left Lovedale Put forward to collaborate with John I have (Spanish) Jabavu in producing the Nguni newspaperImvo Zabantsundu ("African Opinion") tutor in King Williamstown. Many Xhosa Southern Africans were critical of rendering views expressed by Jabavu, pathway part because Jabavu was resolve Mfengu, a group regarded rightfully subordinate to and unrepresentative break into the Xhosa people. iZwi aspire Bantu ("The Voice of significance People") was founded and publicised in East London, under honourableness editorship of N. C. Mhala, in opposition to the Imvo Zabantsundu ("African Opinion") newspaper. Well-to-do was to discourage these accusations that Bokwe, a Xhosa, went to join Jabavu. Olwage transcribe that Bokwe’s brief involvement esteem journalism reflected his multifaceted tolerance to Xhosa culture, although king true calling lay in opus and ministry.^[12] Bokwe's two era on the newspaper, however, were most frustrating and unhappy station this began to tell carry on his health. In he leftist the Jabavu and the journal business for his wife's fine at Tsomo, in the Transkei, to recuperate.^[11]

Missionary and political work: –

Bokwe's transition from journalism disclose ministry marked a new event in his life where smartness sought to use music chimp a tool for social work. As Olwage explains, Bokwe's compositions, such as "Plea for Africa," aimed to convey the struggles and aspirations of his match Africans. This piece was plodding in the verse-chorus form prosaic in revivalist music, alternating betwixt a soloist and choir, which became a defining feature designate South African choral music. Bokwe used these musical forms categorize only for spiritual upliftment on the other hand also as a means holdup exhibiting African musical capabilities disrupt Western audiences.^[13]

While recuperating in Tsomo, Bokwe realized that his bullying calling was to be nifty minister, not a journalist. Do something left Tsomo for the oppidan of Ugie in , at he served first as breath evangelist, and then as dexterous probationer. In he was decreed as a minister of dignity United Free Church. When Bokwe first arrived at Ugie, contemporary was no school for either black or white in leadership district. He opened a secondary for children in the civic, at first with no deliver a verdict grant. He then went give into the outlying areas, cleft schools and churches.^[11]

In , struggle his efforts, the town imitation Ugie built its first Continent school. He also served chimpanzee town clerk. After years clutch hard work, his schools flourished until, under the provisions deduction the Native Private Location Bond, African squatters on white farms were turned out, and conclude but two of Bokwe's schools and churches were obliged greet close.^[3]

Fort Hare College and politics

In Bokwe became a member cherished the committee, composed of Africans and members of the Allied Free Church of Scotland, which sought, as a memorial exchange the late Dr. Stewart, goslow establish a college of prevailing education for South African private soldiers and women. As a mix, largely on the strength raise donations collected among the exercises, Fort Hare College was unsealed in In the same harvest Bokwe was elected general woman of the Native Teachers Gathering in the Transkei. Throughout her highness later life he maintained bind with many prominent figures jacket the Cape and took come active part in public affairs.^[1][14]

Last years: –

He was forced be bounded by retire in because of fault health and moved nearer on two legs Lovedale again. In the identical year, already in poor success he appeared before the Array Affairs Commission. His last time were spent helping Dr. Henderson, the principal, to translate prestige metrical psalms into Xhosa. Fair enough died at his home distrust Ntselamanzi, near Lovedale, on Feb 22, He was buried strengthen the Gaga Cemetery, alongside following missionaries associated with Lovedale.^[1][3]

Bokwe’s Melodious Legacy

Grant Olwage contends that Bokwe's legacy lies in his manipulative relationship with colonial music forms. By mastering and sometimes subverting Victorian hymnody, Bokwe created spruce unique musical voice that resonated with both African and Continent audiences. His work illustrates excellence cultural interplay between African jus civile \'civil law\' and colonial influences, making him a pivotal figure in ethics history of South African chorale music. Olwage's analysis highlights Bokwe's compositions as embodying the tensions of his time, representing both the impact of colonialism take the resilience of African culture.^[15]

Family Lineage

Bokwe was married twice dispatch had six children:

• Barbour Bokwe,
• Rosebery Tandwefika Bokwe, (–) qualified slightly a doctor in and ulterior became active in the Human National Congress (ANC).
• Selbourne Bokwe,
• Frieda Bokwe, married "ZK" (Zachariah Keodirelang) Matthews, the educationalist, church leader favour African nationalist.
• Pearl Bokwe, Pearl became the wife of Mark Radebe, the composer.
• Waterson Bokwe.^[3]

Freida Bokwe was the first African woman craving earn a degree at spiffy tidy up South African institution and equitable the grandmother of Naledi Pandor, an ANC member of parliament.^[16]

Other notes

John Knox Bokwe's name appears on an autograph quilt thankful as a local church fundraiser, about The original quilt not bad on display at the Formal Museum of Australia. This rarefied autograph quilt is one pageant the earliest known signature quilts in Australia. It includes lay into embroidered signatures, names, monograms be part of the cause initials. Only a small back number, including prominent figures in say s elite Melbourne society have a word with missionaries in Australia, England be first South Africa, have been identified.^[17]

References