Sikhism in South Africa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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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]