The pastoration of Catholics was done by the Oblate Priests of Mthatha and Mount Frere when Fr Le Bras was stationed there from 1893 until 1896. Between 1898 and 1907 Fr Weinrich from Convent farm often went to Qumbu, building a chapel with wooden floor and ceiling on the ground which had been purchased by Bishop BeLalle on 3 November 1905. When in 1930 the Prefecture of Mthatha was established, Qumbu was cared for by the Mthatha Priests and for a short time Fr Bonaventure Jaeckel rode from Farview to look after the scattered flock of Qumbu and Tsolo.

In 1935 Prefect Hanisch decided to give Qumbu its own resident priest again. A simple presbytery was built in 1936, similar to those at Libode and Port St. John’s. Fr Jaeckel started mission work among the African people by opening outstations.

The Precious Blood Sisters arrived in 1937 and acquired a piece of ground outside the village, built a few huts to serve as a convent and a chapel and soon started a school for the many children of Qumbu. The increasing number of children called for new classrooms and hostel quarters which were opened in 1974. Sr. Daniel Eiler, CPS succeeded Sr. Mathildis Braun, CPS as principal in 1979. The extension of the curriculum necessitated more classes. Two blocks of 6 class rooms and administration were erected in 1981 and completed in 1983. The school was granted the status of a state aided school in 1984. All teachers were paid by the state. Another block of 3 class rooms was erected outside the sisters’ property and was completed in 1985. It was blessed by Bishop Zolile Brook and opened by Mr. George Matanzima.

On 31 October 1993 the newly erected school hall, replacing the one which was destroyed by hail in 1991, was blessed. The building was sponsored by the CPS Canadian province. It was named C.M. Kobus hall who was Chairperson of the School Governing Body and played a big role in assisting the school acquire the land.

Among other things Fr Jaeckel enlarged the Lady of the Angels church by adding two side naves and a sanctuary in 1943, and in 1948 a tower was built at the entrance of the church. During his home leave in 1952 he was able to acquire two bells, one for the new tower and one for the convent.

In 1980 there were 12 Outstations where there was a church building and which the priests regularly visited once a month. Besides these there were 3 Outstations without a church building which were also visited by the priests once a month. New Outstations were opened in 1980. Qotira was built by Fr. Andrew and in 1994/95 Bencuti and Nogaya were built by Fr. Winfried. The Mbidlana Outstation church was rebuilt in 2014 with the help of the local community and was blessed by Bishop Sipuka on 19 July 2015.

In the following years some Outstations were closed due to poor attendance by the faithful, like Gqugunqa, Caba, Cabavale, Mdeni. Sapompolo is still functioning. Thembeni Outstation was closed with the death of the last member. Qanqu which was started in the 60s in a private home, was closed and a new church was built nearby in Qotira where a strong community developed. The number of baptisms per year and the number of catechumens indicate that the Parish was alive and growing in the 80’s.

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 Casimir Le Bras O.M.I.: 1908 – 1923
2. Fr Bonaventure Jaeckel C.M.M.: 1936 – 1959
3. Fr Henry Karlen: March 1959 – August 1963
4. Fr Paul Baumeler C.M.M.: August 1963 – July 1973
5. Fr Peter Grand C.M.M.: July 1973 – April 1981
6. Fr Andrew Roesli C.M.M.: January 1979 – April 1981
7. Fr Francis Jank C.M.M.: May 1981 – 1983
8. Fr Peter Grand C.M.M.: 1983 – 1990
9. Fr Winfried Egler C.M.M.: 1993 – 1998
10. Fr Vincent Kiggundu: 1998 – 2002
11. Fr Robert Kaisa C.M.M.: 2003 – 2004
12. Fr Victor Tambala C.M.M.: 2004 – 2007
13. Fr Richard Menatsi: 2008 – 2009
14. Fr Monwabisi Majingolo: January 2009 – May 2009
15. Fr Stefan Mandl C.M.M.: 2009 – 2010
16. Fr Francis Ojok C.M.M.: 2020 – 2011
17. Fr Stefan Mandl C.M.M.: 2011 – 2012
18. Fr Hyppolite Bakajika: 2012 – 2021
19. Fr Taele Letlotlo C.M.M.: 2021 –

Priest Incharge: Fr. Taele Letlotlo
CellPhone: 064 780 2568
Email: letlotlotaele@gmail.com

Address
25 Main Street
Qumbu
5180

Postal Address
P.O. Box 16
Qumbu
5180