BLOEMFONTEIN – The significance of the iconic Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein took centre stage on Thursday 8 January, with the celebration of 114 years of the African National Congress (ANC). The church is the birthplace of the ruling party. However, it also stands out as the catalyst for other important events in the community beyond being the venue where the ANC – formerly the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) – was formed.
On 8 January 1912, intellectuals gathered inside this church to form the ANC. Marking the 114th milestone of the ANC, the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM), led by mayor Gregory Nthatisi, held a celebration on Thursday.
Isaac Moroe, an ANC stalwart, explained why the church still stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resistance, and hope in achieving the liberation of Black people.
Moroe mentioned that visionaries included Thomas Mtobi Mapikela (1869 – 1945), who was one of the founding fathers of the ANC in 1912. He mentioned that Mapikela and the Swedish-born Rev. James Scott were among the pioneers in the construction of the Wesleyan Church, also known as the Wesleyan Methodist School Church. According to historians and his peers, Mapikela was a highly skilled carpenter and bricklayer, making him a key figure in the construction of the church building, which is shaped like a cross.
“The work to construct the church took over a year. It started in 1903 and was completed the following year,” said Moroe.
Moroe stressed that the church was very significant in shaping the community.
“This church also served as a school and a community hall. It was a hub of significant activities in addition to a place for worship,” said Moroe. He mentioned that initially the church was situated on St. George Street.
“As the segregation of Black people intensified, the church was relocated to a township called Waaihoek, where the new site was approved in 1901, with construction beginning in 1903,” said Moroe.
According to Moroe, the All-African Convention in 1909 was critical in paving the way for the formation of the ANC. He mentioned that after White people met in 1910 to discuss and ultimately form the Union of South Africa, Black people responded by gathering in Bloemfontein in 1912 to form the ANC.
“There was a very serious debate about why there was a woman present at the meeting. Charlotte Maxeke was the only woman in attendance among the scores of men. It was explained that Maxeke was academically more qualified than all the men present at the meeting. Thus, she was the first woman in South Africa – not just the first Black woman – to have obtained a university degree,” Moroe explained.
Moroe shared with the audience in the packed church how the journey spanning more than 11 decades began on that day inside the church. Those in attendance included Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and Princess Gaboilelwe Moroka of the Barolong boo Seleka traditional community.
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