It is recorded that during this time the first Lebanese pioneer arrived in the Transvaal. He did not come accidentally, as is foolishly suggested by some, having lost direction on his way to America. In fact, he came like thousands of others from Europe and elsewhere because of the discovery of precious stones and minerals at this end of the African continent. As far as is known, it was Elias Mansour Eid from Beiteddine, south east of Beirut, who worked in Ferriera’s Mining Camp (as early Johannesburg was called) for 10 years and amassed a tidy stash of gold sovereigns in that short time, who returned to his hometown. His financial success story inspired hundreds of husbands and fathers, courageous adventurers, to make similar sea voyages on cattle boats sailing between Port Said and Delagoa Bay (as early Maputo Bay was called).

In this year, Maronite Patriarch Elias Howayek, sent Fr. Emmanuel El-Fadle to South Africa from Kfarhata-Elzawye, North Lebanon. A historical year for the entire Maronite Community in South Africa – Fr. Emmanuel El-Fadle was the first Maronite Priest to walk on South African soil. After time as a student in Rome and Paris, he began serving the South African community on both spiritual and social levels. Fr Fadle converted a building in Johannesburg into a church and residence. He left South Africa after 4 years. On his return to Lebanon he died on 27 July 1909, a victim of the ill-fated ship, SS Waratah, which sunk at Transkei off the mouth of the Xora River in Wild Coast between Durban and East London. After 90 years its wreckage was positively found and identified on 23rd June 1999 by Emlyn Brown (Ref: Viva Lewey, Thunder from a clear sky, p.38).

Fr. Joseph Ashkar arrived to build a church and a school for the community. He purchased a small church and a rectory in Commissioner Str. and later in 1920 moved to the corner of Diagonal & Kerk Str, Johannesburg. The Patriarch then sent another priest to assist – Fr. Wakim Estphan who stayed for a few years only before he went back home to Lebanon, and Fr. Ashkar continued to serve the community alone until 1928.

The members of the future SA Lebanese Association took action and defeated the Supreme Court in the case known as the ‘Ghandur Case’ which would classify the Lebanese as non-white (Asiatic) and therefore subjected to all the impediments of these laws against human rights with appeal in the Appellate division of the Supreme Court in Bloemfontein.

Fr. Ashkar resigned his office and returned to Lebanon. The mission was then handed over to the Congregation of the Maronite Lebanese Missionaries, known as the “Kreim”.

Fr. Youssef Juan, who was appointed as a temporary visitor, received instruction from the Patriarch Howayek and the General Superior Fr. Youssef Moubarak to succeed Fr. Ashkar in serving the South African Maronite Community. The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries has since served in South Africa among other countries and continues in its mission in serving and assisting in the Maronite and Latin Rites. Fr Youssef Juan served the community for almost one year. After, in December 1928, Fr. Peter Alam, sent by the Maronite Patriarch, succeeded Fr. Juan and set about serving the community.

Fr. Peter Alam acquired a former Dutch Reformed church at 61 Mint Rd, Fordsburg Johannesburg, and later built a community centre, a four story building, beginning the second Lebanese school in SA and serving the community tirelessly for 34 years until his death.

The community represented by the South African Lebanese Association – SALA (established in the early 1920s) purchased 33 acres of ground on the Pretoria – Johannesburg road (Cedar Park – Woodmead) with the cost of 9,000 pounds, which resulted in the building of Our Lady of the Cedars’ church in 1990.

First Honorary Consulate of Lebanon to South Africa – Mr. Boutros Khoury Sebaalani, before the Official establishment of the Consulate of Lebanon to SA took place in 1958.

Fr. Alam passed away in South Africa on the 13th June, and Fr. Michael Chebli arrived to assume duties. He served with tireless zeal for 30 years until 1992.

Permission was granted by Fr. Paul Najem (Superior-General) to build a church at Cedar Park, three acres of ground was set aside (Erf.712) for the new Church, donated by the Cedar Park – Lebanon Christian Association (LCA) of South Africa.

The foundation of the new Church of Our Lady of the Cedars was completed. Fr. Nabil Rizkallah arrived in Johannesburg to assist with pastoral duties at Our Lady of Lebanon church in Fordsburg. After two years he was transferred to Brazil.

Dedication of the new church, Our Lady of the Cedars, on Palm Sunday, 8th April. Fr. Elie Madi arrived to assist in the needs of the Maronite community and to serve at Our Lady of Lebanon in Fordsburg and later at Our Lady of the Cedars in Woodmead, where through his efforts, built the Shrine of Our Lady, the priests’ house and the church hall.

The historic visit of His Beatitude, Cardinal Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and the entire Middle-East. It was the first visit of a Maronite Patriarch to the African Continent.

Construction of rectory and offices at the church of Our Lady of Cedars, Woodmead.

Fr. Nadim Abou Zeid arrived to assist in both churches, and more so at Our Lady of Lebanon.

Completion of conference center and hall at Our Lady of the Cedars church. Between 1991 and 1995, four missionaries helped Fr Madi sustain the community’s needs. Frs Nabil Rizkallah, George Bou Msallem, Marwan Tabet and Nadim Abou Zeid originated and revived educational, pastoral and cultural activities. Emphasis was placed on youth. Fr. Hannoun Andraous succeeded Fr. Madi as Superior, in October 1995. His main accomplishment was the Families Tree and the introduction of the pledge system.

On 20th October, Fr. Marwan Tabet arrived back from the U.S.A. to replace Fr. Hannoun as head of the Mission.

The community has grown in spiritual, social, intellectual and cultural activities, as well as in numbers. The religious education programs were expanded. New spiritual, social and cultural activities were introduced. Fr. Pierre Albalaa joined the missionaries’ team.

The agenda of new projects included the acquisition of property on the southern side of the Johannesburg Metropolitan area.