Of the 90 years of Cwele Parish Fr. Andrew Roesli spent 31 years as Parish priest. Therefore, many things are connected to him. He was responsible for many new buildings and improvements. Cwele Mission became a centre for training catechists.

As in any other Mission Cwele also had a school right from its start. Because Cwele is a little “out of the way”, not easily accessible by public transport like buses at that time or private cars especially in bad weather, Fr. Andrew built 2 new and big boarding facilities for boys and girls. Another problem was to find good and qualified teachers because not many people appreciated a life away from shops, churches, doctors and entertainment places. Therefore Fr. Andrew built flats for the teachers to live at the Mission free of charge. Cwele Mission being situated in the place of “nowhere” Fr. Andrew had to supply electricity. He bought a big generator and did the maintaining and repairs himself. The Mission got Eskom electricity in 2014. The Mission at times was bustling with people, scholars, catechists, teachers, workers, and a farm and garden. Therefore, he had to provide water. Drilling of boreholes was not successful. Therefore, he built an underground tank next to each building. There are at least 7 smaller or bigger underground tanks. A dam was also constructed to supply water for the garden and farm.

For the well-functioning of a Mission Station with a big school with students and teachers Fr. Andrew not only cared for the basic needs like water and electricity. He also had at heart the big population outside the boundaries of the Mission. The nearest hospital St. Barnabas at Ntlaza was about 40 km away. Therefore, he built a clinic where nurses could stay day and night and be available for the medical needs of people. In 2015 the clinic was transferred to the old Catechists’ house within the Mission.

In 1984 Br. Pierre, CMM came to Cwele and took over the boarding facilities. He not only put order and discipline into the bedrooms but also saw the need to occupy the boys in their free time. He built play grounds for ball games and also trained them in indoor activities like basketball and wrestling. The big hall which Fr. Andrew built was very welcome for this sports entertainment.

In 1991 Br. Alexander, CMM followed Br. Pierre as boarding master and he concentrated especially on gardening. He remained boarding master until February 2008.

A concrete road inside the Mission was financed by Miss Mary from Switzerland who was working as book keeper for the school and Mission during Fr. Roesli’s time. For many years Br. Macarius, CMM who later on studied for the priesthood and was ordained at Cwele on 8 December 1982, was working together with Fr. Andrew in the farm and garden to provide vegetables, meat and milk for everyone in the Mission.

In the nineties (1991 – 1998) Cwele school and hostel offices were often visited by thieves and criminals who harassed Miss Mary Albin and demanded money. The very serious and sad attack was in 1993, when two men dragged Miss Mary Albin towards the office and demanded the office keys. Whilst the men were still dragging Miss Mary, Father Michael Riedener, CMM appeared and asked them what they wanted. They demanded his car key but he did not give them the key. One of them shot Father in the chest and the second one stabbed him at the back. Father fell to the ground and the robbers fled from the scene. Father Michael was quickly rushed to the hospital to get help.

The CPS sisters were withdrawn from Cwele Mission on the 13^th of April 2013 and thus the chapter of CPS at Cwele Mission was closed.

In January 2002 Fr. Octavius Khasoane, Diocesan, was ordained by Bishop Brook at Cwele.

CPS were in Cwele since 1931. They left in April 2013. The Convent was closed until Dec 2017. Then Franciscan Clarist Sisters from India opened a formation house with 3 young women from Zimbabwe.

Cwele Mission which had a Junior Secondary School now has a Primary School from Grade R to Grade 7 due to the modification of the educational system by the Department of Basic Education.

For More information on this parish please refer to:
1. Transkei For Christ by Fr Marcel Dischl CMM, copyright 1982
2. Chronicle of Mthatha Diocese by Fr. Winfried Egler of 2020

1. Fr Jean Nicolas Meyer O.M.I.: 1888 – 1891
2. Fr Joseph Vogel C.M.M.: 1931 – 1951
3. Fr Heribert Gotzheim C.M.M.: May 1951 – November 1954
4. Fr Roman Martin: December 1954 – May 1955
5. Fr Andrew Roesli C.M.M.: May 1955 – November 1978
6. Fr Leopold Schere: December 1978 – December 1979
7. Fr Andrew Heier C.M.M.: January 1980 – August 1980
8. Fr Ernst Plӧchl C.M.M.: September 1980 – April 1981
9. Fr Andrew Roesli C.M.M.: 1981 – 1989
10. Fr Joseph Nogonyothi: 1989 – 1990
11. Fr Peter Grand C.M.M.: 1991 – 1992
12. Fr Michael Riedener C.M.M.: 1992 – 1996
13. Fr Bonaventure Ssemaganda: 1996 – 2002
14. Fr Octavius Khasoane 2002 – 2011
15. Fr Monwabisi Majingolo: 2012 – 2017
16. Fr Faustin Mapwar C.M.M.: 2018 – 2021
17. Fr Taele Letlotlo C.M.M.: 2021 – 2021
18. Fr Hormisdas Kasule: 2021 –

Priest Incharge: Fr. Hormisdas Kasule
CellPhone: 073 232 5609
Email: hmkasule@gmail.com

Address
Cwele A/A
Libode
5160

Postal Address
P.O. Box 35
Libode
5160