NONTETHA [NKWENKWE]

Why should Nontetha be incarcerated in the asylum? . . . . On studying her life closer I find that she had marvellous and remarkable powers of converting natives, the people lisped her name with gratitude, and her congregation grew by leaps and bounds, much to the exasperation, disgust and annoyance of other religious missionary bodies whose success is very slow. During her short working period she made many converts. Natives ceased their Kaffir beer traffic, stealing and robbing were put by, all this to the advantage of ourselves and the Government . . . . As a person who enjoys the freedom of the Union Jack I see no reason why I should be scorned at for my opinion, and likewise I see no reason why these people should not be allowed to enjoy freedom of worship.

-D. W. Ntsikana [Grandson of the prophet Nstikana], "Letter to Prime Minister J. B. M. Hertzog", December 10, 1927.