Wesleyan Location
1878 - 1890

The Seaside Location had been established in 1877 as a residential area for the Black population on the East Bank. The mixing of Fingo (Mfengu) and amaXhosa, however, was not seen as ideal because the former had had a long history of collaboration with the British imperial forces and therefore tended to be singled out for special treatment.

As a result another location soon came into existence on the East Bank when, in April 1878, the Town Council decided to create separate communities for the two groups. A site was chosen a little to the north of the C Block of the German acre lots (what became known as North End, and the Fingo population was once again moved. Because the Wesleyans soon established a mission there, the new township quickly became known as the "Wesleyan Location".

The Fingo took an immediate pride in their new home. In December 1878 the District Surgeon reported that he found it "a strong contrast" to the mixed location of the West Bank. The huts, he wrote, were "well and regularly built", the ground was clean and the men, women and children were "well dressed, clean and orderly". Moreover, although there was no police residence within the location, he was nevertheless of the opinion that that was a far better arrangement because the police seemed to "cause more disturbance than they quell".

In December 1883, however, the Town Council started yet another wave of resettlement, and the first to go was the Fingo Location, a surprise move because all reports had been positive. Only in January 1881, the Inspector of Locations had reported that the "Old Location" was in very good order and the Fingo were conducting themselves "satisfactorily".

The White residents of North End were the problem, however, because they objected to a location which was situated so close to their suburb. The Council bowed to their demands and began to seek a site further from the town. "We have no doubt the residents at the North End will appreciate the removal," the East London Dispatch commented, and called on the Town Council to make every effort "to lay out and establish a roomy new location" where the Fingo would be "quite comfortable" and at the same time be subject to "wholesome superintendence".

The Town Engineer proposed to move the Wesleyan Location to a spot on the plateau between the First and Second Creeks, to the west of Newsam's Town. The site was, he said, "easy of approach", although there was a lack of water and the move would have placed the Fingo some considerable distance out of town. The Council, however, hesitated to do that and eventually chose to move them only a short distance, to a spot beyond the brow of the hill but out of hearing distance from North End.

The Fingo did not accept the decision willingly. Indeed, when in July 1884 it was asked in the Council whether any of the people objected to the removal, the Mayor replied that they all did. Many had still not moved, he said, despite notice that they were to be gone by the beginning of March, and there were indications of resistance against what was clearly perceived to be an unjustified action. The Council nevertheless resolved to wield its authority and warned that no further licences would be granted for huts on the old site and the residents would then be prosecuted.

Fingo resolve caved in at this point. It was not to be their last move, however, because a mere six years were to pass before the Town Council was considering yet another strategy: the moving all the Black people from their existing locations and to put them into one

See also: Seaside Location, 1876 Newsam's Town East Bank Location

unified settlement even further from the town. This would be known as the East Bank Location, and it would come into existence in 1890 but not without a major tussle between the Town Council and the Black community.

Dr Keith Tankard