This article is about Sikhism in South Africa. For Sikhism as a religion, see Sikhism.
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 Gurdwara SA Sahib Johannesburg, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 13,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Johannesburg • Durban • Cape Town | |
| Religions | |
| Sikhism | |
| Languages | |
| Afrikaans • Zulu • Xhosa • Punjabi • Hindi • Urdu |
Sikhism in South Africa is a religious minority. It is estimated that there are 13,000 Sikhs in South Africa. It is a small yet growing community.
History
Sikhs have been in South Africa since the late 19th century. The first Sikh pioneers settled in Durban in KwaZulu Natal on the eastern coast of the country. More Sikhs began settling in South Africa after Apartheid ended. After the system was abolished in 1994, Sikhs began migrating to the country.
In 2006, a gurdwara was established in Johannesburg by a Kenyan Sikh expatriate.
In 2010, a gurdwara was established in Cape Town with support from the Johannesburg congregation.
On 22 November 2015, a gurdwara was unveiled in the Parkmore suburb of Johannesburg.
The majority of South African Sikhs are immigrants from India, Kenya, Botswana, and other countries.
During 2021 South African unrest, South African Sikhs set-up langar distribution kitchen to support their local communities. Many Sikh owned and operated businesses were targeted during the rioting.
There are sizeable populations of Sikhs in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
List of gurdwaras
- Gurudwara Sahib Johannesburg (located in Sandton, Johannesburg)
- Gurudwara Sahib Cape Town (located in Cape Town)
References
- "Custom Dataset | National Profiles | World Religion". www.thearda.com. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ "#SouthAfricaIsBurning – A Sikh view". Sikh Press Association. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ^ Hiralal, K. (2007). Resurrection of an Identity: The Sikh Community in Durban, South Africa. The Oriental Anthropologist, 7(1), 91–108. doi:10.1177/0972558X0700700106
- ^ "South African Sikhs lauded as they celebrate 550 years of Guru Nanak". The Tribune.
- ^ Moodley, Avashnee (28 March 2010). "SA Sikhs open new temple in Cape Town". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- "Parkmore becomes home to the first Sikh temple in SA". Sandton Chronicle. 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- "First gurdwara opened near Johannesburg". Hindustan Times. 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ^ "550th Parkash Purab celebrations conclude in South Africa". Sikh24. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
| Sikhism in Africa | |
|---|---|
| Sovereign states |
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| States with limited recognition | |
| Dependencies and other territories |
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