Christina Forsyth, the legendary UFC missionary, was described in her biography as “The Loneliest Women in Africa”. She spent more than 30 years in service to the Middle Xolobe community in the former Transkei. Her Xhosa name was Smoyana.  She returned to Scotland in 1916, aged 70 after a life defined by resolve and fortitude - a powerful example for modern generations.

A group of Border Historical Society members retraced her steps and ultimately located a rock art representation of her and her long-lost mission station in the Middle Xolobe district. The Society’s quest turned into a trip through time, archives, and remote countryside.

The talk will reveal details of Forsyth's early life in Scotland, her marriage - which ended in tragedy - and her decision to devote the rest of her life to missionary service. The three expeditions into the Transkei to try and find her mission station will also be presented. It was only when Scottish researcher John Ross uncovered an historic 1916 survey drawing of the Tsomo District in the University of Cape Town's map collection that the third trip led to the right location.

Archived documentation will be presented as well as images of interesting built structures, humble churches, and ghostly trading stations. The site of the mission station, the fragmentary remains, a suggested reconstruction of the Mission-house and the powerful surrounding landscapes will conclude the talk.

It is hoped that the talk will inspire greater local interest in the overlooked contributions of women such as Forsyth, whose legacy deserves to be remembered.

The talk will be held on Saturday, 21 June 2025 at 2:30 PM in the Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer Hall at the East London Museum

Who is William Martinson?

Graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1987 and a Master of Architecture (Conservation) in 1989. Appointed as architect by the (then) National Monuments Council in 1989.

Joined Osmond Lange Architects in 1997 and moved to the East London offices of Osmond Lange in 2006. Worked on a large number of heritage projects, documented historic buildings and structures, and compiled numerous Heritage Impact Assessments and Heritage Management Guidelines.

Member of the East London Museum Board, Chairman of the Border Historical Society and an ongoing collaborator on the artefacts.co.za website. 

The talk is an edited version of that recently presented to the 2025 Umtiza Arts Festival. All are welcome to attend. There will be time for questions. Tea will be served after the talk.