Non Historical Gurdwaras in Africa

Gurdwaras in Africa

When we see the history of Sikhs in Africa, it starts in 1890 when African railway company was established by the britishers to construct railway lines. Sikhs were among hundreds of Indian employees of this company. Gradually, many of them settled there and the generation born there joined many other departments and started their own business and profession. By the middle of the 20th century, their population became quite significant and many of them established themselves in their respective trading and business spheres. A good number of them joined police department for enforcing the lawandorder on behalf of the ruling employers. Thus, they started constructing Gurdwaras for their social and religious needs and requirements.

Gurdwaras in Kenya

Kenya, having the maximum Sikh population became the country of maximum Gurdwaras in various parts of the country. Although, there are more than 10 Gurdwaras in Kenya, the four most important Gurdwaras are those which are situated in Nakuru, Mecindu, Landia and Kericho. The Sikh temple at Nakuru is the first Gurdwara built in east Africa in 1903 on a piece of land allotted by the railway company. In the beginning there was a small construction, but, with the passage of time various additions have been made and now it is a beautiful building with Langar hall, boarding and lodging facilities and a primary and a secondary school. The sixty feet tall two Nishan Sahib outside the Gurdwara are visible from far off places. The Gurdwara is managed by a Gurdwara committee. One of the most important persons associated with the history of the management of this Gurdwara has been Bhagat Mool Raj Ji who was appointed president of the committee unanimously in 1928 and who worked for welfare of the community with indefatigable spirit and dedication. When in 1936 the Gurdwara building was destroyed by a fire, a new building was constructed within 6 months under his leadership by the united efforts of the Sikhs living there.

Another Gurdwara setup in 1903 by the employees of the railway company is the oldest Gurdwara of Narobi, the capital of Kenya. This gurdwara is situated near Narobi railway station. When Mumbasa – Uganda railway line was being built, the Sikh employees of the company built another Gurdwara in 1926 which is situated near the main highway. Its location being on the main highway, this is visited by tourists in large number. Langar is available here at all times. The Africans also visit this Gurdwara in large number for having langar and availing of the medical treatment facility at Mata Veer Kaur Hospital run by the Gurdwara Management. The contact number of the Gurdwara is 0722708822.

The city Karicho is well known for its tea gardens and world famous Olympians. When Baba Puran Singh saintly personality highly respected by the Kenyian Sikhs, setup his preaching centre in this beautiful city, a beautiful Gurdwara which is among the largest Gurdwaras in the world was constructed by him in 2000.

Gurdwara in Yuganda

When Yuganda, a small country in East Africa was ruled by the Britishers, a number of persons were sent there from India for constructing railway lines. Some Sikhs were also included in the labour. As the number of Sikh families increased, some Sikhs started doing business. When Yuganda became independent in 1962, the Sikhs living there also became its citizens. They started constructing Gurdwaras both in Kampala as well as Ginja, the two prominent cities of Yuganda. When Idi Amin became dictator of Yuganda in 1971, he turned out many Indians from the country and these people included a good number of Sikhs also. However, after the fall of Idi Amin in 1979 some Sikhs again moved to this country and presently, their population is around 5000. One of the Sikhs S. Parminder Singh Marwah is a member of Yugandan Parliament. In 2011, when 100 years of Sikh presence in the country were celebrated, four stamps were issued by the Chief Post Master General of the country. These stamps carried the images of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Khanda and Nishan Sahib. There are two popular Gurdwaras in Kampala, namely Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Kampala and Gurdwara Ramgarhia Sikh Society, Kampala. Daily Maryada is performed in both the Gurdwaras. Many Sikhs and local people frequently visit the Gurdwaras, especially on specific days when langar is served to everyone. Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha is situated on Sikh Road, in Central Uganda. Its contact details are Email : info@sikhnetafrica.com and contact nos. are +256759304161 and +256752222666. Gurdwara Ramgarhia Sikh Society is situated on Plot No. 26/29 Rashid Khamis Road, Opp. New Mukwano Mall, in Old Kampala. Its contact details are: Email: info@sikhnetafrica.com and contact nos. are +256759722702 and +256776222222.

Gurdwara in Tanzania

Dar-es-Salaam is the capital of Tanzania. The Gurdwara situated in Dar-es-Salaam in the present building was started in March 1962. Although, a small Gurdwara was already existing since 1918, the new building was constructed keeping in view the increased Sikh community of Tanzania. The new building has a big hall, office, library and a rest house. The building was constructed by M/s. Kartar Singh Hari Singh. A Punjabi medium school was also started in 1937 which is now known as Guru Nanak Primary School. The Khalsa Girl Boarding House was erected in 1949 to accommodate students from up-country receiving education in various institutions of Dar-es-Salaam. Due to the increasing number of the children the Boarding House was further extended in 1955. A Boys Boarding House started in 1946 in a temporary building was replaced with a permanent building in 1962. The Address of this Gurdwara is Makamba st. Opp Kidongo Chekundu Ground Gerezani, Dar es salaam. There is one Gurdwara in Mawanza, Tanzania, managed by Ramgaria Sahba. Its contact No is +255653388436.

Gurdwaras in other African Countries

There is one Gurdwara each in South African Countries of Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Ghana and Mauritius. All these are small countries and the Sikh population is also very small. However, the Sikhs living in those countries have one Gurdwara in their respective countries for the purpose of the fulfilment of the social and religious requirements. The Gurdwara in Zambia is at Mumana Road, 6556, Lusaka (capital city). It was founded by Guru Nanak Council of Zambia in 1972. This Gurdwara was founded in 1972 by Guru Nanak Council of Zambia. It has a main hall and a langar hall. Malawi got independent in 1964, but the Gurdwara has been existing here even earlier. It was founded in 1928 by S. Gyan Singh Saond and other Sikhs. It is managed by Sikh Association of Malawi. Its address is Temple Evenue, Limbe, Malawi. Gyani Santokh Singh, famous Sikh Preacher now living in Australia had served at this Gurdwara for a long time. The contact no. of the Gurdwara is 265888844285. Similar is the position of Botswana. The Sikhs had come to this country after an agreement had been entered into between India and Botswana whereby India had sent some army personnel for training the security forces of this country which had become independent from the British Rule on 30th September 1966. When this Gurdwara was reconstructed in 2012, the new spacious Dewan Hall, the managing committee office, Langar hall and library became the part of the new building. Nitnem Maryada is performed every day. There is a special programme on every Sunday in which Katha, Kirtan and Langar are enjoyed by the Sikh families as well as the local people. Apart from Gurpurabs, festivals like Diwali & Lohri are also celebrated where in all the Indian participate. The address of the Gurdwara is Plot No. 17487, Ledumang, Gaboran. The contact no. is 2673926785. A small Gurdwara is also situated in Aakra, the capital city of Ghana. The Sikhs living there are planning to construct the new building. The present address of the Gurdwara is Suvinil House, Tudo, Kozo, Thomson Road, Aakra. The contact no. of the Gurdwara is 233244290788.

Gurdwaras in South Africa

The republic of South Africa is southern most country of the continent of Africa. Although, its executive works at Preporia and the legislative of the country sits at Captown, its most important town is Johannesburg. It is this country which was known for the apartheid policy of the Britishers against which the residents of this country had to fight a long battle. It is again this country where Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of the train being a black Indian. It is again this country, whose leader Nelson Mandela remained in prison for a long time and the country got independence under his leadership in 1994. Although, the earlier Sikhs had come to this country to fight for the British Army in the Anglo-Boer war 1889-1902, their population started increasing only after the establishment of an independent democratic Government. The most important Gurdwara is situated at 109 Street, Park More, Sandton, Johannesburg. The Sikhs living here realised the need of a Gurdwara as till 2006 they were meeting for their religious programmes at the residence of the Sikhs in turn. It was in 2006 that a building was purchased and converted into a Gurdwara which became operational in 2008. This Gurdwara now serves the Sikh sangat not only as their congregation place, but is also used for social functions like marriages both for Sikhs and non-Sikhs. The Langar is served here on all days and many poor African labourer visit the Gurdwara for appeasing their appetite. The Gurdwara also caters to the needs of the poor people by distributing to them blankets, cloths and medicines. As there are many Sikh children who are born in that country, free classes are organised for them to teach them Punjabi and impart the training of doing Paath and Kirtan (reciting and singing Gurbani). The contact no. of this Gurdwara is 27110222630. Apart from this Gurdwara there is one Gurdwara also at Captown, Chatsworth and Mosalbay. As the number of Sikh tourists has increased considerably, these beautiful spots of the country have been selected for making Gurdwaras with a view to provide facilities to them. The captown Gurdwara functioning from 28th February 2010 has been mainly constructed for the tourists, both Sikhs and Hindus. That is why the managing committee of captown Radha Krishan Temple played an important role in realising this dream. They provided both legal and financial help and the said Gurdwara was constructed in the Radha Krishan Temple Complex, Jaram Raod, Highlands Escape. Now, apart from the daily Maryada weekly congregation is held here wherein the prominent Ragis and Katha Kars are invited from India. The Langar is distributed to all those who visit the Gurdwara. The contact no. of this Gurdwara is 27768881755.

Gurdwara at Durban

Mosal is a beautiful port which is visited by all the tourists to see its natural gas wells. The Sikh and Hindu families living there had been assembling at specific places to celebrate their festivals. It was on Diwali Day in 2009 when the Sikhs realised that in the absence of a Gurdwara, the new generation born and being brought up there might forget their religion and culture. So, they purchased a plot in November 2009 to setup a Gurdwara and a cultural centre. However, due to the opposition of the local people, the construction on this plot of land has still not been done. The Sikhs are hopeful that in near future they will be able to setup a vast Gurdwara, a dispensary, a library, a Langar hall and a Punjabi School at this place. However, the 300 Sikh and Hindu families living there are meeting periodically at the residence of the people in turn for social and religious get together.

The construction of the Gurdwara is not yet complete. Gurdwara at Mauritius, with President. S. Kuldip Singh Rekhi, Granthi Singh and Secretary S. Iqbal Singh Walia

Gurdwara at Mauritius

Mauritius is one of the most visited tourist island countries in Indian Ocean, where majority of the people living there are of Indian origin. In the beginning the Britishers had brought the Indians in this country comprising of many small islands, to work in sugar cane fields. Gradually because of its attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world, this country now has developed into highly technically advanced country with various multinational companies based in it. Although, the number of permanent Sikh residents in Mauritius is very small, a good number of Sikhs come here as employees of the multi –national companies or as tourists. Thus, a Gurdwara has been constructed at Port Louis, the capital of the country. The daily maryada is observed in this Gurdwara, but, the main congregation takes place on every Sunday. When we visited (KSPS Group) this place in 2012 we found that a good number of Hindus and Sindhis were forming part of the congregation. Even today more than 50 persons enjoy Gurbani Kirtan, Katha followed by sumptuous Langar on Sunday gathering. The president of the present managing committee of the Gurdwara is S. Kuldip Singh Rekhi and the sectary is S. Iqbal Singh Walia (0023052596408).

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