Joan Frances Scutt ca 1909-1993

J F S - unmarried, M.B.E., To be Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order: Miss Joan Frances Scutt, Missionary. For services to education and to the Community, particularly in remote areas in Swaziland (-1987). "Joan Frances Scutt" born 1909, died 1993. A English woman who pioneered one of the first handicraft centres in Swaziland thereby enabling the women of the community to be self-sufficient by making and selling grasswork, weaving, mats, carpets and batik. She was born in Poole in Dorset and in 1937 left England to become a missionary. In 1953 she moved to Mankayane Mission in Encabaneni where she stayed, as the only missionary, for 30 years. From a small hut there she developed a Christian mission complex which included primary and secondary schools and a health clinic. She also wrote more than 15 books and her Story of Swaziland was widely acclaimed. She served as a secretary of the Swaziland Conference of Churches and was a fluent broadcaster in Siswati. She retired in 1982 and in the same year was appointed MBE. King Sobhuza gave her land on which to build her own home and she did so with her own hands. When she died her funeral was attended by 1,000 people (95% African) with 10 speakers at a five-hour service.