Sikhism in South Africa
 | |
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 13,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Johannesburg • Durban • Cape Town | |
| Religions | |
| Sikhism | |
| Languages | |
| Afrikaans • Zulu • Xhosa • Punjabi • Hindi • Urdu |
| Part of a series on |
| Sikhism |
|---|
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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
[edit]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
[edit]- Gurudwara Sahib Johannesburg (located in Sandton, Johannesburg)[8]
- Gurudwara Sahib Cape Town (located in Cape Town)[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Custom Dataset | National Profiles | World Religion". www.thearda.com. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ a b c d "#SouthAfricaIsBurning – A Sikh view". Sikh Press Association. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ^ a b 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
- ^ a b "South African Sikhs lauded as they celebrate 550 years of Guru Nanak". The Tribune.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b "550th Parkash Purab celebrations conclude in South Africa". Sikh24. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
