James Mata Dwane

James Mata Dwane (1848–1916), priest and founder of the Order of Ethiopia.

Early life Dwane was born in Kamastone near Whittlesea, Eastern Cape, in 1848. He was educated and later taught at Healdtown Methodist Missionary Institution.

At the mere age of 19, he decided to start a school in a nearby village and enrolled 60 learners whom he taught all he had learned. He then left for further education and formal teacher training at Healdtown Methodist Missionary Institution where he later served as a teacher. During this time, he became painfully aware of the difference in quality between white and black education.