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Click to view large map Coordinates: | ST MARTIN'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, ZIWUNDWANA, KWANOTYEKEZA. DUTYWA DISTRICT. On the high ground at Kwanotyekeza close to the R408 from Dutywa to Ngcobo in the Transkei is a fine intact example of a wood and iron church building or ‘tin tabernacle’. A rectangular erf measuring 1 morgen was surveyed as a sub-division from the surrounding commonage, for the Ziwundwana Anglican Church in December 1910. The corner beacons were pointed out to the surveyor by the Resident Magistrate J. P Cumming (presumably then serving at the Dutywa Magistrates Court). The diagram recorded the position of the church relative to the site boundary, so it is likely that the church was erected a few years prior to this date. A title deed for the property was issued in favour of the St John’s Diocese of the Province of South Africa. St Martin's now resides under the Parish of St Michaels and All Angels Nxamagele under the Anglican Diocese of Mbhashe. Of interest is that the wagon road was shown passing close to the southwest side of the church. However the modern R408 road has been relocated some 120 m to the northeast. The church building has a simple rectangular plan measuring approximately 14 m x 7 m – a plan form based on double square, which created a pleasing internal proportion. The interior remains a sacred religious space. The building is placed on a hammer dressed sandstone base with corrugated iron walls and corrugated iron roof. The windows are lancet pattern timber windows, however these are not surprisingly, some 120 years later, all in varying states of dilapidation. A single framed and panelled door provides access on the northeast corner. Of interest is that the timber framed walls were lined on the inner face with sundried bricks and plastered. The ceiling was lined with matched lining boards finished with shellac. The church is clearly still in regular use and is a fine layer in the social history of this part of the Transkei. William MARTINSON, August 2025. |
