A silent testament to missionary sacrifice and resilience

THE old cemetery inside Solusi University, a powerful symbol of the Seventh-day Adventist Church heritage, will be transformed into a dedicated heritage site, complete with biographical plaques and a potential museum.

This plan is part of the university’s efforts to leverage its rich heritage for branding purposes, with the centrepiece being the old Solusi Cemetery.

The cemetery serves as a constant reminder of the inclusive spirit that has always been a cornerstone of the Seventh-day Adventist faith.

It stands as a powerful testament to the selflessness of missionaries, embodying their unwavering dedication to their calling, prioritising their mission over personal pursuits.

The cemetery’s transformation into a historical and motivational centre will generate revenue through the sale of Adventist-themed wares and guided tours, envisioning it as a cornerstone of Adventist life, the history of Zimbabwe in general, and the SDA Church story in particular.

Dr Clifford Sibanda, Head of Department for the Faculty of Theology and Chaplaincy, shared intriguing insights with Saturday Chronicle, shedding light on the cemetery’s history and significance.

“This graveyard is an enduring testimony of missionary dedication, resilience, and self-surrender. The burials on this piece of land date back to February 1898 when missionaries began to succumb to the malaria epidemic, hardly four years after the establishment of the institution.

“Within three months, five of the six missionary families that had journeyed from America and South Africa to establish Solusi were visited by death. The missionaries, mostly white, died one after another and their remains were interred just behind the church building.

“The deceased included George Carmichel the institution’s sole physician, John Ntaba Luthuli the institution’s only teacher, George Byron Tripp SR the institution’s principal, George Byron Tripp JR, and Mrs Armitage. By 1900, hardly six years after the establishment of the institution, the cemetery had 11 graves. Yet, the missionaries had not baptised a single convert,” he said.

Dr Sibanda said the cemetery is the final resting place for missionaries, church pioneers, and even local figures who played a role in shaping Solusi’s history.

“Among the notable interred are 15 Western missionaries, two African missionaries, and local pioneers like Harry Sibagobe Tshuma and Peter Fayi Mpofu. Civic leader Chief Mlevu, though not a Seventh-day Adventist, supported the cause and rests here. The cemetery also commemorates martyrs like Donald and Ann Lale. The last burial in 2000 was Reward Register Ndlovu, the first black president of the Zimbabwe Union Conference, overseeing Adventist work in Zimbabwe.

“The Solusi University motto which reads, ‘We serve’ stems from the selfless sacrifice of the missionaries. It is for this reason that Adventist institutions continued to operate in 2008 when most institutions were not operating. This all rooted from the cemetery as the signature,” he said.

He also described the Solusi Cemetery as a monument to resilience, a silent testament to the perseverance of those who dedicated their lives to the mission.

“In 1900, despite a relocation proposal due to health concerns, missionaries at Solusi chose to persevere, even after the deaths of key members like Elder FL Mead. The decision to continue was pivotal, as subsequent missionaries like Melvin Sturdevent carried on the mission. Sturdevent’s son, a victim of malaria, rests at Solusi, highlighting the sacrifices made.

“This resilience has made Solusi a symbol of endurance for Seventh-day Adventists, inspiring perseverance during challenges. The cemetery has provided a valuable teaching aid for training pastors and missionaries.

“Ethnocentrism is a perennial global challenge. At the Solusi Cemetery, there are blacks, whites, South Africans, Ndebeles, Kalangas, Shonas, and many different ethnic groups. As such, the cemetery serves as a symbol of common identity among Seventh-day Adventists.

“Given that colonial Rhodesia insisted on separate burial grounds for blacks and whites, Solusi Cemetery was one of the few places where blacks and whites were buried in the same graveyard. As such, the cemetery epitomised the cosmopolitan nature of the church,” said Dr Sibanda.

With Solusi University’s 130th anniversary on the horizon, Vice-Chancellor Professor Khumbulani Mpofu has unveiled a unique plan to leverage the institution’s rich heritage for branding purposes.

The celebrations will feature the igniting of a “missionary flame” in South Africa by descendants of the missionaries themselves, with the flame being taken through the cemetery grounds.

This will serve as a dual homage — a reminder of the sacrifices made by past missionaries and a source of inspiration for continued church missionary efforts.

Dr Sibanda expressed his support for the Vice Chancellor’s initiative, highlighting how it would transform the cemetery into a powerful symbol of the university’s heritage.

“There are plans to erect a museum close to the graveyard. The museum aims to showcase Adventist history and inspire future generations. Additionally, there are plans to digitise Solusi’s history and produce a docu-drama, followed by a full-length film, capturing the story of martyrdom for wider dissemination,” he said.