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Date: 1922 Type: Grave Status: Extant   Click to view map Coordinates: 32°46'44.80" S 26°50'03.05" E Alt: 519m

See more photographs The grave of Dr. John Knox Bokwe is located on the northern side of the town of Alice in close proximity to Lovedale. He was buried here in 1922 and some 30 years later his wife was buried alongside him. The site has been fenced into a square precinct defined with a palisade fence and plastered brick columns and it is not unlikely that it forms part of a larger graveyard, but this has not been confirmed. A substantial granite plaque has been placed adjacent to the entrance into the grave precinct. The wording has been transcribed below: Dr. John Knox Bokwe The late Reverend John Knox Bokwe "Umdengentonga" was born in 1855 at Ntselamanzi Location. He is a son of Cholwephi "Jacob" Bokwe and Lena Ngxe of Ntselamanzi. He married to Mrs. Maria Bokwe nee Sopotela "Ingwanekazi" of Tsomo. In 1886 Dr. Bokwe was admitted to the then College of amaMbalu, maJingqi and Imingcangathelo commonly known as Lovedale College in Alice. He has imprinted his name as one of the most significant and leading black African missionaries who made an outstanding contribution to the spiritual and cultural development of African people. Rev. John Knox Bokwe died in 1922 A great Xhosa praise singer S.E.K. Mghayi had this to say: Bhotani zinkosi nonke! Bhotani ke Bantu nonke! Bon' obam ubom bonke, Baba bobesizwe... Phumla ngonaphakade Mbamba, Krila, Thangana, nyana kaCholwephi, mzukulwana kaBokwe, kaNgxongu, kaMataka, kaHayen, uHayeni kaVelaphi. This tombstone was officially unveiled by his Excellency and honourable Executive Mayor of Amathole District Municipality, Mr. Sakhumzi Somyo on the 26 JULY 2008. The text on Bokwe's headstone reads: JOHN KNOX BOKWE 1855 - 1922 LOVEDALE UGIE MISSIONARY & MUSICIAN UMTANDI WESIZWE ERECTED BY HIS FAMILY The inscription on the headstone on his wife's grave reads: MARIA NOBANTU TINISE INKOSIKAZI KA JOHN KNOX INTOMBI KA SOPOTELA KUMA NGWANE WAZALWA 25-12-1870 WABHUBHA 21-01-1952 William Martinson, August 2024