ALIWAL, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. — In South Africa; it was erected on 21 February 1926, through the elevation of the Apostolic Prefecture of Gariep, established on 12 June 1923 from the southern part of the Vicariate of Kimberley (Orange Freestate) and the northern part of the Vicariate of Cape of Good Hope, Eastern District. It is entrusted to the Priests of the Sacred Heart (St-Quentin), who entered Gariep in 1923, establishing the center of activity at A. North.
Area: 100,000 sq. km. Of a total population of approximately 300,000 inhabitants (1933 census), in 1939 there were 160,000 Protestants, 132,000 pagans (Kosa, Basuto, Fingo), 7,088 Catholics (4,817 indigenous, 837 métis), and 1,595 catechumens. Churches and chapels: 20. There were 22 Priests of the Sacred Heart, in addition to two secular priests, and five Brothers of the Sacred Heart; 185 nuns belonging to three different Congregations. There is a major and minor seminary with 18 students.
The educational organization is fairly well developed (63 schools of various grades with 2,765 pupils). Catholic social action, grouped into 30 associations under the «Catholic African Union», complements religious activity through its beneficial influence.