Sound of Silence: For whom the bell tolls — NMB’s oldest church mourns stolen 200-year-old relic

A 200-year-old mission bell has been stolen from Bethelsdorp’s Van der Kemp Memorial Church, causing deep concern for residents who fear it may end up in scrap dealers' hands. The historic church, known as Nelson Mandela Bay’s oldest, stands at the heart of a historic precinct that was first inhabited by the Khoi people before European settlers arrived.

The Mission Bell, also called the Slave Bell, has hung outside the church for over two centuries, serving as a crucial tool for communication in the community. Its history is steeped in both cultural significance and controversy, as it was used for summoning residents, including farmworkers, to public trials and punishment. The historic bell, possibly dating back to 1793, was stolen from the square outside the church this week, leaving church officials devastated by the loss of an invaluable piece of their shared heritage.