SOUTH AFRICAN HINDU MAHA SABHA

SINCE its inception in 1912, the vision of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha is to promote Hindu Dharma through observing the best principles of Hindu religion, philosophy, ethics, values and culture as prescribed by scriptures.

MISSION STATEMENT

• It is the mission of the SA Hindu Maha Sabha to work towards the advancement of all members of the Hindu faith among all Hindu linguistic groups in a spirit of respect, unity and brotherhood.

• The Maha Sabha will, in all its undertakings, consistently safeguard the image and dignity of the organisation and that of all its constituents through the development of knowledge of the Dharma, and through effective policies, procedures and roles.

• An underlying mission of the Maha Sabha is to contribute to good relations between Hindus and all other communities or sectors on local, national and international levels towards sound nation building, based on the fundamental principle of Vasudaivam Kutumbakam.

• The values on which the Maha Sabha bases its activities are selfless service, accountability, respect, fairness, continuous improvement and unity.

The objectives of the Maha Sabha:

• Co-ordinate and promote the religious, social, spiritual, cultural, moral and educational advancement of the Hindu community in the Republic of South Africa and abroad;

• Encourage the study of Hindu philosophy, religion, literature, arts and science;

• Co-operate with other Hindu organisations in carrying out the objects which are of mutual advantage;

• Co-operate with other organisations in promoting the interests of both the Hindu and other faiths in the country and abroad;

• Encourage members of other professions and disciplines to serve the Maha Sabha in a voluntary capacity;

• Enlist the co-operation of manufacturers and companies for the investigation, analysis and certification of ingredients and foods for ritual consumption purposes, specifically acceptable for use by people belonging to the Hindu faith;

• Raise funds to promote the aims and objectives of the Maha Sabha;

• Encourage the study of vernacular languages;

• Promote and encourage efforts made by Hindu bodies to establish facilities of an educational nature for the advancement of the Hindu Dharma in South Africa;

• To organise conventions, lectures, workshops, seminars, symposia and conferences to further the objects of the Maha Sabha; and

• To attend to all such matters as may be necessary or expedient to further the interests of the Maha Sabha.