Hindu unifying body ‘has achieved goals’ The Sabha celebrates its centenary at a banquet on Saturday, reports Veruschka Mungroo

CULTURE, religion, traditions and language played a pivotal role in the lives of the Indian indentured labourers who first set foot on SA soil in 1860.

To uphold and propagate these customs, 50 years later on May 31, 1912 the first official Hindu organisation was formed – the SA Hindu Maha Sabha.

This year, the Sabha will celebrate its centenary by hosting a banquet on Saturday at the ICC to honour the stalwarts of the Sabha and the community. The guest of honour will be President Jacob Zuma.

Ashwin Trikamjee, the president of the Maha Sabha, said a century ago the body was formed to foster unity among all Hindu organisations that had begun since 1860. They saw the need for unity regardless of ideological and linguistic orientation.

“The banquet is being held to celebrate the milestone and to represent a symbolic affirmation of the Hindu faith in South Africa,” said Trikamjee.

Other events include lectures by India-born author Professor Sadhu Rangarajan, a dance drama, Krishna Leela, prayer services by the Chinmaya Mission of SA and the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha and this year’s FNB Durban Diwali Festival.

“We, the Hindu community, have made a significant contribution to the moral fibre of South Africa, apart from being an important part of the struggle for freedom,” said Trikamjee, who has been president of the organisation for 14 years.

“Nationally there is a process of Hindu revival as people seek spiritual upliftment. The Sabha plays an important role in protecting the rights of Hindus in SA and promoting Dharma.

“Therefore, this achievement is huge for the South African Indian community.

“Delegates attending the (1912) conference arrived from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Johannesburg, Pretoria and from all over Natal.

“Women and children were also included and the women participated enthusiastically in the proceedings. The meeting was held at the Victoria Picture Palace in Durban and as history now confirms it was a meeting of considerable importance and magnitude.

“Three hundred delegates representing all sections of the Hindu community attended that initial meeting.

“The conference dealt with many issues but focused attention in particular on the formation of a unified Hindu body, the promotion of religious education in schools and in Hindu institutions, the popularisation of the observance of Hindu festivals, the participation of women in social and religious activities and the establishment of institutions to cater for the religious needs of the community.

“This is where stemmed from.”

One of the main challenges the Sabha had to overcome in the past century included the forced removal of temples and cultural organisations from certain areas because of the Group Areas Act.

It took a long time to establish new structures in townships such as Lenasia, Phoenix and Chatsworth.

“During apartheid Hinduism was not recognised and was marginalised. It was a very difficult time,” said Trikamjee.

“The Sabha also has gone through a major metamorpho-

it

all sis. It is now more proactive with modern offices in Lorne Street with modern telecommunications systems, and has a host of sub-committees working regularly to meet the daily demands of the Hindu community.

“The Sabha is recognised nationally and internationally as the voice of South African Hindus, with interactions regularly with government at local, provincial and national levels.

“Another important development was the recognition of the Shudha logo for pure vegetarian products.”

Trikamjee said he believed the Sabha had achieved the goals it targeted at its inception.

“Hindu unity is more relevant now than ever before. All democratic Hindu organisations are directly or indirectly associated with the SA Hindu Maha Sabha.

“The challenge is to chart the way forward for the next 100 years and to nurture a new generation of Hindu leaders.”