Sikhism in South Africa South Africa
Gurdwara SA Sahib Johannesburg, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
Total population
13,000
Regions with significant populations
Johannesburg • Durban • Cape Town

Sikhism in South Africa is a religious minority. It is estimated that there are 13,000 Sikhs in South Africa.[1] It is a small yet growing community.[2]

History

Sikhs have been in South Africa since the late 19th century.[3] The first Sikh pioneers settled in Durban in KwaZulu Natal on the eastern coast of the country.[3] More Sikhs began settling in South Africa after Apartheid ended.[4] After the system was abolished in 1994, Sikhs began migrating to the country.[4]

In 2006, a gurdwara was established in Johannesburg by a Kenyan Sikh expatriate.[5]

In 2010, a gurdwara was established in Cape Town with support from the Johannesburg congregation.[5]

On 22 November 2015, a gurdwara was unveiled in the Parkmore suburb of Johannesburg.[6][7]

The majority of South African Sikhs are immigrants from India, Kenya, Botswana, and other countries.[5]

During 2021 South African unrest, South African Sikhs set-up langar distribution kitchen to support their local communities.[2] Many Sikh owned and operated businesses were targeted during the rioting.[2]

There are sizeable populations of Sikhs in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.[8][2]

List of gurdwaras

  • Gurudwara Sahib Johannesburg (located in Sandton, Johannesburg)[8]
  • Gurudwara Sahib Cape Town (located in Cape Town)[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Custom Dataset | National Profiles | World Religion". www.thearda.com. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "#SouthAfricaIsBurning – A Sikh view". Sikh Press Association. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  3. 1 2 Hiralal, K. (2007). Resurrection of an Identity: The Sikh Community in Durban, South Africa. The Oriental Anthropologist, 7(1), 91–108. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972558X0700700106
  4. 1 2 "South African Sikhs lauded as they celebrate 550 years of Guru Nanak". The Tribune.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Moodley, Avashnee (28 March 2010). "SA Sikhs open new temple in Cape Town". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  6. ↑ "Parkmore becomes home to the first Sikh temple in SA". Sandton Chronicle. 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  7. ↑ "First gurdwara opened near Johannesburg". Hindustan Times. 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  8. 1 2 "550th Parkash Purab celebrations conclude in South Africa". Sikh24. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
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