Landsend Farm was bought by Bishop Hanisch in 1931. There was no Mission Station in his Diocese for Mission work among the Thembu tribe. Fr. Bonaventura Feuerer when he was stationed in Bedford went as far as Engcobo, especially All Saints (Anglican Mission station) near Engcobo and the Leprosy Institution Mjanyana.

When the Precious Blood Sisters came to Landsend in 1931 a hive of activities started. An Industrial School for wicker work and basket weaving   was launched. Sr. Gabrielis for many years instructed girls and young women in this work. The priest had to order cane from Cape Town and get willow branches from as far away as Mariazell. He also had to see to the marketing of the finished products. He had to deliver baskets of all sizes and shapes to Trading stores in the District.

Landsend Mission had a big farm with plenty of grazing area and fields. The Parish priest with the assistance of the sisters soon started a farm with all kinds of animals. For many years the Mission was well provided with goods like meat and milk. But in later years when the sisters were withdrawn and the succeeding Parish priests lacked interest and knowledge in farming this source of income came to an end.

Landsend also had a school like many other Mission Stations. But it never developed and became famous like other Catholic schools. It always remained a small rural school with only day scholars.

During the time of Fr. Hugo Landsend became the headquarters of the Chiro youth movement. It was an organization which was adopted in all Parishes. It appealed very much to the young people. Boys and girls were proud of their uniform which consisted of a dark blue shirt with a yellow tie. On Sundays after Mass they had their meeting, starting with an opening formation around the big flag of the movement. Drills in marching and singing was very much liked. The movement was guided by a monthly magazine called “Flame”.

It provided spiritual input and instructions in the faith. What made the movement so successful was the good, regular and solid training of leaders. Miss Catherine Madlala was a full time employed youth worker. When Fr. Hugo died and Miss Madlala resigned Fr. Casimir and Miss Matiso continued with leading the movement. Already in the mid- 80s and especially in the 90s the spirit and interest of the young people changed. There were many factors which contributed to this. Especially the political upheaval of that time. Today the name Chiro is forgotten. It only lives on in the memories of the generation of the 50s. The Chronicles of the Parish tell us that in 1974 there were 10 Outstations. The number of Catholics in 1933 grew from 200 to 600 in 1968.

Parish sisters: Sr. Beatrice, CPS:  1999 until 2012, Sr. Paulus Maria, CPS:  2005 until 2011.

Landsend Mission also got its share in the political upheaval of the 80s. The ANC not only opposed the Apartheid Regime in SA but also the Matanzima’s way of opting for an independent state. In 1987 the police station in Mthatha, Owen Street was attacked shortly before curfew started at 6 PM. About 8 police men and civilians were killed. Soon after that some young people who were living in Landsend Mission, disappeared. Nobody knew who they were and where they disappeared to. They left some cardboard boxes in the room they stayed in. The sisters who cleaned the room threw everything on a fire. Immediately there was a big explosion. The two sisters were badly injured, one with a broken arm and both with shrapnel all over the body. Although the sound of the explosion was heard in the location nearby no police turned up to investigate.

When the regular annual Catechist courses in Cwele were discontinued Landsend was occasionally used as a place for refresher courses for Catechists. It is difficult to find reasons why Landsend Mission did not develop as a Parish. There was a time when the priests visited a number of places where there were small communities, like Sixotyeni, Mbolompo, Sawutini, Tabase, Baziya, Mazizini and Qweqwe. Only four of these places developed into Church sites. Two of them, Sikobeni and Cicira were closed and Qweqwe, Sawutini and Mazizini were given to Ascension Parish.

But St. Emmanuel Parish can be proud of producing a priest, Fr. Ncedo Siwundla who was ordained on 1^st December 2007 by Bishop Hirmer and Sr. Ulrica, CPS, the daughter of a catechist.

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 Bonaventure Feuerer: March 1938; August 1940 – October 1946
2. Fr Bertram Sirch: April 1938 – July 1940
3. Fr Aegid Haussner: November 1947 – April 1953
4. Fr Jucundus Ebert: January 1952 – February 1954
5. Fr John Lingnau: June 1954 – May 1963
6. Etienne Hendrik Cox: May 1963 – June 1968
7. Fr George Brunner: June 1968 – December 1968
8. Fr Blaise Alois Schneider: February 1969 – August 1969
9. Fr Francis Jank: August 1969 – April 1979
10. Fr Hugo Hunz: April 1971 – 1984
11. Fr Macarius Haeusler: 1984 – 1989
12. Fr Francis Jank: 1990 – 1992
13. Fr Hugo Kunz: 1992 – 1995
14. Fr Cas Paulsen: 1995 – 1996
15. Fr Mboneleli Peter Gqobo: 1999 – 2001
16. Fr Mafu Ponya: 2002 – 2004
17. Fr Patrick Mbongwe: 2004 – 2005
18. Fr Cas Paulsen: 2006 – 2011
19. Fr Nicholas Leaka: 2012 – 2013
20. Fr Vincent Kiggundu: 2013 – 2014
21. Fr Mbulelo Qumntu: 2014 – 2015
22. Fr Hormisdas Kasule: 2015 – 2018
23. Fr Teboho Martin 2018 – 2019
24. Fr Luthando Xhamlayo: January 2019 – August 2019
25. Fr Hormisdas Kasule: 2019 – 2021
26. Fr Raphael Arop: 2021 –

Priest Incharge: Fr. Raphael Arop
CellPhone: 071 908 1684
Email: aropraf@yahoo.com

Address
Mpeko A/A
KwaDlomo
Mthatha
5099

Postal Address
P.O. Box 162
Mthatha
5099