Methodism was introduced to South Africa by British soldiers stationed at the Cape. The first missionaries arrived in the early 1800s, with Rev J McKenny arriving in 1814 and Rev Barnabas Shaw in 1816, who began preaching among local communities and helped establish the early foundations of the Methodist movement in the region.

This mission expanded across Southern Africa and into Namibia, forming part of the wider story of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa as it continues to serve communities today.

(Excerpt from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa website)