Church of Sweden: Masase Mission

Church of Sweden

Masase Mission

The Church of Sweden Mission (CSM) established Masase Mission in 1920 approximately 7 miles west of West Nicholson, Matabeleland South, Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). It was named after the Shona word for morning star – nyamasase.

Rev. Sköld started medical work at the mission in 1920.  For many years, nurses were responsible for performing the medical duties.  As of 1938, a doctor from Mnene Hospital visited the clinic once a week.

Masase was the first CSM mission in Zimbabwe to provide training for African evangelists.  Rev. Von Sicard began the classes in 1928.  More comprehensive training began in 1937 with Rev. E. Sundgren.  Masase opened a “Home Craft School” for girls in 1946. Its aim was “to raise the standard of living in the girls’ own homes and when they married.”  The school subsequently closed “due to lack of interest in that level of training.”  A Secondary School was opened in 1966.  Education for blind children also started in the 1960’s – teachers included Mr. and Mrs. Nordesjo.

As of 1934, missionaries serving at Masase included: Rev. and Mrs. J. Othenius; Rev. and Mrs. A. Albrektson;  Mr. and Mrs. J. Bergman; Mr. and Mrs. C. Andersson and Sisters M. Kohlquist, E. Parsson and G. Berglund.

CSM missionaries were withdrawn in 1976.  Regime forces commandeered mission buildings in 1977; the Secondary School was destroyed and the Masase hospital “pillaged.”

References

Contributors
  • Mark Loomis