Forgotten Hero - Joseph Ludorf

Jeff Ramsay | Tuesday October 12, 2021 06:00

As a pioneer translator and publisher of both Sesotho and Setswana, he was also the editor of the first Setswana newspaper, “Molekoli ua Bechwana” (Batswana Visitor), and the drafter of the first constitution for what would have been a united Batswana nation.

Born in Germany, Ludorf became a printer by profession before joining the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society (PEMS), which sent him to South Africa in 1842. He was posted at Beersheba, where he was responsible for the PEMS printing press. A gifted linguist he was soon able to translate material from French, English, Dutch, and German into Sesotho and Setswana (Serolong dialect). This combination of talent and determination resulted in several early publications for use by the church. A record of a PEMS public meeting, held in Cape Town on 4 October 1848, thus noted:

"Mr. Ludorf, assisted by some natives ... is engaged in printing the New Testament in the Sessouto [sic] language, which is spoken by nearly 80,000 people in that country. Several elementary books, religious tracts, and a collection of hymns, have already been issued from the press at Beersheba."

Ludorf’s own early publications included “Lihela tsa Bokereste - ―Yehofa ki sehela same” (1843), a hymn book, “Lipesaleme le lifela tsa Sione” (1844), a book of psalms; “Le rorise Yehofa gobane o molemo me mogao oa gae ko a ka metla” (1844), Psalms and Hymn of Sion; “Lietsagalo tsa Yosefa mora- Iseraela” (?), Deeds of Joseph, Son of Israel; “Buka ea tsenola ea Yesu Kreste e ngoliloeng ki Yohanne” (1851) a translation of the book of revelation; and Merife ea Meraru ea Yohanne Moapostola (1852), the Book of John.

During this period, Ludorf also began to demonstrate a concern for securing the rights of Sotho-Tswana peoples, which were then being threatened by emerging Voortrekker Boer depredations.

In 1849 Ludorf transferred to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, who then collaborated with PEMS, and was posted the following year among the Barolong booRatshidi at Lotlhakane. His arrival coincided with the beginning of a sustained conflict between the morafe and the Transvaal Boers. In this context, Ludorf won the trust of Kgosi Montshiwa who came to rely on the missionary as an advisor, secretary, and diplomatic agent.

On the eve of the 1852-53 Batswana Boer War, following unsuccessful mediation efforts, Ludorf warned his flock:

“There are three deaths, choose which you will die. 1st, Take some cattle and go to the Boers, and pray to have peace, give up all your guns, pay taxes, become their slaves, Or 2nd, Look without delay for a hiding place, but look to the consequence: no water under a burning sun. Or 3rd, Stand and fight like men for your lives, property, and freedom. As for me, I cannot say which is best for you. God give you wisdom."

Ludorf’s support for Batswana during the war resulted in the destruction of his mission by the Boers. He was subsequently based among the Barolong booSeleka at Thaba Nchu while annually visiting the booRatshidi, who then stayed at Moshaneng in the contemporary Southern District. At Thaba Nchu, he was responsible for operating the Wesleyan Mission's printing press, whose publications included the first Setswana periodical, Molekoli ua Bechwana, which he edited in 1856-57.

Additional publications by Ludorf included: “Tiragalo lingue tsa Phuthego ea Kreste” (1856) A History of the Church of Christ; “Melao ea phuthego” (1856) Rules of the Methodist Church; “Katekisema ea Ba-Wesley Methodiste No II Go okelericoe ka Katikisemanyane ea litiragalo tsa Bibele le ka sekao sa thapelo” (1856), The Conference Catechism and “Litiragalo lingue tsa Bibele (1857), Bible stories.

In 1865 Ludorf relocated to Potchefstroom, where he reportedly focused on his medical practice. He then moved to Klipdrift, where he re-joined the Barolong booRatshidi.

In April 1871, Ludorf successfully advocated Barolong land claims before a Court of Arbitration at Bloemhof, which had been convened by the British to determine the boundaries between the Diamond Fields, which they had occupied as Griqualand West, and the independent Batswana and Boer republics. In October 1871, Ludorf forwarded copies of the judgement to the dikgosi with a letter urging them to unite: "And now chiefs, rulers of the land, I appeal to you, Awake, arise and unite soon before the trophy is torn asunder by wolves; come ye together, make protective laws; stop all breaches and gaps and close your ranks. Safeguard the heritage of Tau, your ancestor. Hear ye all chiefs: come together and unite."

Ludorf then proceeded to draw up a manifesto and Constitution for the "United Barolong, Batlhaping, and Bangwaketse Nation” so that the “Batswana tribes included in the new line may not only live in unity and peace but also combine in a general confederation against the common enemy."

The Constitution envisaged a "Great Council," made up of a Combined Council of Chiefs and elected National Assembly, Courts of Appeal, and combined military, as well as recognition of shared rights and responsibilities. (to be continued).