The first Holycross sister came to South Africa in 1883. They set out on their long journey on ox -gonfrom Umtata to Bedfort as there were no cars in those days, where Bedford is situated was just a big strech of bare fields. These nuns had to struggle to start everything. As they were strangers and did not know anybody in this part of the African continent, they really struggled even communication language was a problem. In 1890 building construction, a convent, a small chapel and a few houses began. a small vegetable garden was also started behind convent later this developed into a big farm called bedford farm where people from sorrounding villages were employed to do the ploughing and planting.

In 1950 the nuns opened an orphanage for white and coloured children. A school from sub A STD6 was build. Each class had about 30 to 40 pupils and the nuns were responsible for teaching, there were no employed teachers. the boys were taught hand work and carpentry by a coloured gentlemen by the name of Mr Sam Bandle.The bigger girls were engaged in sewing and cooking. Everybody was also taught farm work. On the farm there were about 200 cattle few pigs some geese and chicks. there was also a fowl run. An ox and a pig was slaughtered evey week to supply meat to the children, workers and nuns.

In 1960 black orphan started to be adopted too. In 1964 a day clinic was opened for minor ailments and for immunisations. In this clinic the community from the surrounding villages were able to get second - hand clothing, millk powder and cheese. Professional nurses were also employed by the nuns to run this clinic. Sister Orana was the first matron to run the place. they started to admit patients and their visiting doctor was Dr Chuma Luswazi and the first professional nurse was sister Lioba Federhen. In 1973 the orphanage was had to be closed down as it was decided that the Bedford mission had to be changed into a state and to cater for Orthopaedic patients. This was Dr Chuma Luswazi's dream. construction began the buildings were changed and renovated.

In those days up until late 1980s there was no proper road or tarred road between the T juction and Bedford.  The gravel road was in a very poor state and it worsened after rains. the workers had to struggle to cross the small bridge to and and from work when the stream was in floods.At such times the workers had to be fetched by tractor and and even the nurses were expiriencing the same problem. I was also difficult to get suppliers on rainy days even bread had to be fetched by a trador.