Onseepkans

1923: Beginning at Onseepkans
I was at Pofadder in January for Confirmation when a certain Mr. Hayes came to offer us a piece of ground at Onseepkans. This place is situated about 50 kilometers northeast of Pofadder on the banks of the Oranje River. A certain company had bought about 20 000 hectares of ground from the Government. They have built a canal which leads water off from the Oranje River and allows for the irrigation of about 360 hectares of alluvial ground which has been divided into 60 plots of six hectares each. Mr. Hayes offered his plot to us. It includes three small houses which would do for a residence, a chapel and a school for the beginning of a new mission. He asked £1 200 for everything.

About 400 people live at Onseepkans. I would like very much to buy this ground. We could establish a mission there, which in a short time could support itself. Mr. Hayes assured me that the previous year he had harvested 55 bags of wheat and 70 bags of maize from the plot. Moreover, there is a vegetable garden which can produce more vegetables than can be consumed by the mission staff. But I am too poor. At that time I could not make any purchases, above all a purchase which would cost me my last cent. I impressed this on Mr. Hayes, but promised to go and see his property at Onseepkans the following month. He was somewhat disappointed, as he had hoped to leave me with £1 200 in his pocket. Anyhow, all hope was not lost, he said, and he left after thanking us.

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In February I kept my promise and went to Onseepkans by motorcar. I found everything as described by Mr. Hayes. What was I to do? I could not buy and pay immediately; to give up the idea was to miss good chance of saving many souls. It seemed to me that God wanted us there. I prayed in my heart and He inspired me with the following plan which I explained to Mr. Hayes: “first of all, do not count on the £1 200. If ever I should buy, it would be at most for £1 000. Then I would give you only £300 on the day of purchase and would ask for seven years to pay the other £700 without interest.” This proposition struck Mr. Hayes like a thunderbolt. “No, no, I cannot sell on those conditions,” he cried out. “Very well then; sell to others, for my means do not allow me to offer any better conditions.”
A dismal silence, and then we parted, he evidently disappointed and even discouraged, and I still hoping and praying that God would settle everything for the best. I forgot to say that Father Eich was with me. He urged me to buy, saying there would never be a better bargain and that he felt sorry for Mr. Hayes. Couldn’t we offer somewhat better conditions to him? I replied in the negative. It would have to be as I said, or not at all. It was midday and we had dinner with Mr. Hayes but we avoided the subject. He had consulted his wife, who seemed to be quite as capable in business matters as he. We had to come to a decision: yes or no. I waited, for I had nothing to add to my proposition and we had to leave early the next day, Ash Wednesday. Finally in the evening the subject was again brought up. Persuaded, and rightly so, that I would not offer better conditions, Mr. Hayes said to me:”Well, I accept your offer. It’s a costly one for me, but since I have to leave the country, it is better to sell to you at this price than to others who would offer more but perhaps never pay.” – “Deo gratias!”

Father Schlotterback from Upington came to replace Father Esser. For the third time in succession, the priest in charge of Onseepkans was chosen as Bishop of Keetmanshoop. No wonder Father Bientz felt nervous when he was appointed to take charge of Onseepkans. Thus far he has been spared the weight of mitre and staff. He shephards his congregation with a heart quite as warm as this hamlet on the banks of the Orange River in mid-January.

It was a pity that he could not be present for the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It would have done his heart good to see Father Ovis and the Mission staff using all their energy and every talent to make a complete success of the week 18th to 25th November, 1973, when Oblate Bishops, Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, all united, renewed their Holy Vows before the Blessed Sacrament, to continue the work for the salvation of souls, under the Banner of Saint Francis de Sales. On Ash Wednesday, 1923, an impecunious Father Eich arrived at Onseepkans to start another Mission on the Orange River. Bishop Simon could not lend him a penny for this foundation. Where there’s a will, there is a way. Nothing would stop Father Eich.

Opposition and base treatment from his very neighbours only spurred him on in the quest for souls. While others would have given up, Father Eich courageously opened a primary school, built a church and erected a Novitiate for young men who aspired to the life of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He was leading a fervent congregation on the road to eternal happiness, when he was called away to be consecrated Bishop of Keetmanshoop Vicariate. He left his flock in the loving care of Father Esser who gain succeeded him as Bishop of Great Namaqualand, when he died in 1947.