| Notes |
- PRIVATE
- «b»Ronald«/b» grew up in a liberal Presbyterian home but entered the Methodist ministry because the Presbyterian Church had segregated into two churches: the 'European' and 'Bantu' Presbyterian churches, whereas the Methodist remained one multiracial communion.
As a theological student he was awarded his Springbok Colours for athletics and represented SA in a number of international athletics championships, being selected for the Olympic games in 1932, but unable to attend because of his ordination on 4th May 1933.
He served as a missionary in Pondoland, as minister in the Transvaal, at Knysna and in the Karroo, before being appointed student chaplain at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. While serving there he met and married Norah, but they were called to serve in Somerset East shortly afterwards.
From there Ronald volunteered to serve as a chaplain in the SA Army in Egypt, being particularly involved in service to the non-white troops serving in N Africa. He was then sent to England where he worked in a special unit in Kent involved in the rehabilitation of ex POWs until the end of 1945.
After WWII he and Norah went to Engcobo and were later called to serve in Kokstad, before returning to missionary work at Buntingville Mission. His opposition to the Bantu Education Act led to him and two black teachers being served with Banning Orders under the Suppression of Communism Act. By order of Dr Verwoerd, the church were forced to remove him and his family to Matatiele, where he was subject to house-arrest for 5 years. Following this he was unexpectedly appointed Chairman of the Clarkebury District [Transkei and Ciskei], by popular acclaim of the Methodist Synod.
He and Norah moved to the old family home in Bizana where they made their headquarters until Ronald's retirement. Thereafter he was called to serve at Mfundisweni Mission where he and Norah worked until Ronald was 68. He retired a second time, was recalled shortly after to sort out a crisis at the Mission following riots, and then they 'retired' to Kokstad, where he served the local Griqua Community as their dominee until his death on Palm Sunday in his 80 year.
Had a coronary in 1982.
Kokstad Advertiser of 29 March 1985:
Sincere sympathies to Mrs Norah Thompson and her family on the loss of a loved husband and father. Rev. Ronald Thompson passed away suddenly on Sunday evening at about 10h00. On his retirement as a supernumeracy he became Minister to the Griqua Independent Church, Kokstad, from which he was due to retire next week. He had a great understanding of the Griqua people and their aspirations and was very sympathetic to their needs. He had a very large circle of friends of all races and will be greatly missed by both them and his family.
In the same paper the following notice appeared:
The funeral of the late Rev. Ronald Ian Thompson late of 10 The Avenue, Kokstad, loved husband of Norah and father of Ian, Coralie, Lucy and Mary and a loving grandfather took place in the Methodist Church, Kokstad, after a service commencing at 11.30 o'clock Thursday morning, 28.3.85 proceeding to the Methodist Cemetery, Kokstad.
|
1906 - 1985 (78 years)
[1, 2] 
