About

The founding of the Arya Samaj on 10 April 1875 is a watershed in the history of Hinduism, placing monotheism and Vedas as the supreme truth in the forefront. The immense impact of the Arya Samaj on society, more especially in social and religious reforms, is immeasurable. The Arya Samaj rekindled the age-old ideals of society based on progress, logic, truth, reason, and justice.

Three organisations that form the foundation of the Arya Prathinidhi Sabha (Arya Samaj South Africa) are the Veda Dharma Sabha of Pietermaritzburg, formed on the 10 April 1909, the Arya Yuvak Sabha established on the 19 April 1912, and the Yuvak Arya Samaj of Clairwood formed on the 3 April 1932.

The Arya Samaj South Africa came into being on 22 February 1925, when the need for a central organisation to co-ordinate and consolidate the work done by the early pioneers to practice Dharma and build unity emerged.

From indenture to settlement the Arya Samaj has opposed discrimination based on race, class, and gender. Arya Samaj in South Africa was intrinsically linked to the struggle for the vote and representation in South Africa. In developing roots in South Africa the tenets of Vedic Dharma guided the Arya Samaj.

On the 23 October 1927, the officials of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, decided to affiliate to the Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha (International Aryan League). This decision made it possible to bring the different branches of the various areas under the control of one large powerful centralised global organisation to realise the motto “Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam” – Make the World Noble.
Following the affiliation of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha other Sabhas throughout the world followed. Thus, the Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha was able to assume the mighty stature that it possesses today.

In 1975, the Arya Samaj Movement turned one hundred years with a full 50 years of organised existence in South Africa. In line with the Arya Samaj being a modern reformist movement, the Arya Samaj in South Africa demonstrated the practise of equality for women through taking a ground-breaking step demonstrating that Arya Samaj women could uphold the Vedic principles and engage in the performance of religious rites. The Arya Samaj South Africa is proud of its achievement. It is the first institution in the diaspora that took a bold step to ordain women as priests and was thus a trail blazer. The Arya Samaj has since produced several women priests of calibre.

By the 60th anniversary in 1985 the Arya Samaj South Africa had re-established mandirs in relocated designated areas for Indians, focused on women and equality, united the Hindu community, and engaged the inter-faith community. It had developed firm foundations on Vedic Dharma, and promoted unity in diversity through the establishment of the Hindu Maha Sabha in 1912, promotion of the Hindi language and culture through the Hindi Shisha Sangh in 1948 and had a strong foothold on social service to humanity through the Aryan Benevolent Home opened in 1921.

The first President of the Arya Samaj South Africa, Pandit Bhawani Dayal, was involved in Gandhiji’s famous Satyagraha campaign and performed the first Vedic marriage in South Africa. He also served as the President of Natal Indian Congress. “The APS comes with a rich legacy of struggle. This legacy has been enriched by our experiences in South Africa as we were engaged in the fight for non-racism and democracy. The resources of the APS and its affiliates were made available to the people. In the anti-pass campaigns, the passive resistance campaigns, the freedom charter campaign, the Campaigns of the United Democratic Front, and countless other resistance activities religious organisations like the APS gave their support and for this they will always be remembered.”– Mac Maharaj former Robben Islander, First Minister of Transport in Democratic South Africa.

Among the political activists in the Arya Samaj were Gopallal Hurbans, Sewsunker Lalbahadur Singh, JN Singh, Vishwaprea Supersad, Abanindranath Chanrakesh Badal, Karuna Mohan, Kirun Satgoor and others too numerous to mention. In 1991, Pandita Nanackchand together with a group of women tied Rakhees for Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo, and other ANC leaders. On 18 July 1998, she was one of the priests at the multi faith wedding ceremony of Graca Machel and Nelson Mandela.

The role of the Arya Samaj South Africa as a convenor, a uniting force, a central body representing the Arya Samaj in South Africa grew over the years. It has achieved resounding success through the various missionaries from abroad, religious activities, examinations, and publications in English and development of local leaders.