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IOL News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Swami Nischalananda: A pillar of strength for South African Hindus
Pravrajika Ishataprana Mataji, High Commissioner of South Africa to India Professor Anil Sooklal and Swami Swatmaramanandaji Maharaj light the lamp. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Hundreds of people watched and listened to the different addresses at the commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary and legacy of Swami Nischalananda held at Kendra Hall in Durban on Sunday. Born Dhanagopal Naidoo in 1925 in Newcastle, Swami Nischalananda was a South African spiritual pioneer and Vedantic visionary who founded the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa in Avoca in Glen Anil. High Commissioner of South Africa to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, said there have been towering individuals who sometimes go unrecognised and uncelebrated, and Swami Nischalananda is one of those. Sooklal said that often, when you speak of the Indian community of South Africa, it is unfortunately overshadowed by Mahatma Gandhi. Of course, Gandhi was a larger-than-life person. But without the Girmitiya community being in South Africa, there would be no Gandhi today. 'I think it's important for us to distinguish between the journey of Gandhi in South Africa and the journey of the Girmitiya community, which is the journey of Swami Nischalananda as well,' Sooklal said. 'Without minimising one or the other, they are both equally important.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Sooklal said the religious text, faith and Gods and Goddesses brought by indentured labourers (Girmitiya) sustained Hindus when they were treated like slaves. He said 95% of the Indians who came to South Africa were Hindu, but today they are about 40%. 'If Swami Nischalananda were living today, do you think he'd be happy? And we are partly to blame for that because we became ashamed of our own identity,' Sooklal said. He said that in light of Hindus being denied having priests nurturing society, Swami Nischalananda rose, and he was fired with a deep passion for wanting to do something for his community. Sooklal repeated, had Swami Nischalananda been living today, what would be his assessment of the Hindu community in South Africa? 'And I can tell you, he will not be happy. And you know the reasons why. You know the reasons why,' Sooklal said. 'We are a powerful community, our great, great, grandparents came here, penniless, and they laid a solid foundation. They brought the culture, they brought the tradition, they brought the religion and built hundreds of temples with the few pennies that they earned,' Sooklal said. He said their sacrifice forms an integral fabric of this multicultural, fantastic society that embodies the make up of South Africans. 'Swami Nischalananda sacrificed so that we can enjoy today.' From left: Dr Nelistra Singh, High Commissioner of South Africa to India Professor Anil Sooklal and Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa chairperson Jugdeesh Gungadeen. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Swami Swatmaramanandaji Maharaj said Swami Nischalananda did not live for himself but for others. Maharaj said he observed the running of the Ramakrishna Centre and can see the work and the foundation laid by Swami Nischalananda. He said the name Nischalananda in Sanskrit means still, unwavering, serene, and Swami Nischalananda embodied this. Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa chairperson Jugdeesh Gungadeen said Swami Nischalananda's mission was to serve selflessly, spiritually uplift and guide the Hindu community in South Africa. 'At a time when the community faced discrimination, marginalisation and the erosion of identity, Swami Nischalananda gave South African Hindus a spiritual anchor. 'In today's world of distraction, anxiety and infodemia, his teachings remind us to live with focus, fearlessness and faith. He taught that true power lies not in external success but in inner clarity and service. His life shows that spirituality is not outdated; it is the foundation of resilience and fulfilment.' Attendee Steven Surujballie said they hail from Newcastle, like Swami Nischalananda and left at 5am to attend the event. On attending the event, Surujballie said: 'It's very important because the founder was born in Newcastle.' He said they will have a function in Newcastle in October, the closing celebrations of Swami Nischalananda.
IOL News
11-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Honouring Swami Nischalananda: A legacy of unity and spiritual awakening
Swami Nischalananda significantly influenced the Hindu community through his lasting message, which emphasised unity, knowledge, and selfless service. Image: Supplied The 100th birth anniversary and legacy of Swami Nischalananda, a spiritual pioneer and Vedantic visionary who founded the Ramakrishna Centre in Avoca in Durban, will be commemorated next Sunday. South Africans commemorate Swami Nischalananda this year while also acknowledging the lasting significance of his message: unity in diversity, strength through knowledge, and liberation through selfless service as evidenced in the multifarious activities in serving the poor, providing health care, education programmes and legal services are among the many other empowerment and spiritual activities it continues to this day. A spokesperson of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa said that as South Africa reflects on its spiritual heritage, Swami Nischalananda's birth anniversary (born Dhanagopal Naidoo in 1925 in Newcastle), offers an occasion to honour the remarkable journey of a visionary monk who ignited a spiritual renaissance among the Indian Hindu community during one of the most turbulent periods in the nation's history. 'Emerging from the ashes of colonial oppression and apartheid discrimination, Swami Nischalananda dedicated his life to the revival and propagation of Vedanta philosophy. Amidst widespread religious suppression, cultural fragmentation, and aggressive conversion efforts, he provided a beacon of unity, courage, and spiritual strength to Hindus across South Africa,' the spokesperson said. Dhanagopal exhibited rare spiritual sensitivity and resilience, embracing ascetic practices in secrecy from a young age while growing up in poverty. Driven by a deep desire for divine truth and inspired by Swami Vivekananda, he initiated a secret study circle that eventually became the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa in 1946. Dhanagopal travelled to India in 1948, determined to wear the ochre robes of renunciation before returning to serve his people. Under the tutelage of Swami Purushottamananda at Vasishta Guha in Rishikesh, he underwent a significant spiritual transformation. This culminated in his monastic initiation, at which point he was given the name Swami Nischalananda. When he returned to South Africa in 1953, the spiritual revolution began. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading He countered missionary pressures and instilled pride, unity, and self-confidence within the fragmented Hindu community through lectures, exhibitions, mass prayers, youth rallies, yoga camps, and social welfare initiatives. His inclusive approach broke racial, linguistic, and class barriers—welcoming all into the fold of spiritual upliftment. 'Swami Nischalananda taught us that religion is not mere ritual, but the pursuit of higher consciousness and service to humanity,' the spokesperson said. 'His life exemplified the ideals of renunciation, devotion, and fearless action.' 'Despite passing at the young age of 40, his legacy endures through the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, a vibrant institution that continues to promote spiritual education, youth development, and humanitarian outreach across the country. His foundational vision lives on in the lives he touched and the values he championed,' the spokesperson continued. South Africa's High Commissioner to India Professor Anil Sooklal will be among attendees at an event commemorating Swami Nischalananda on May 18. Other guests include Revered Monastics Pravrajika Ishtaprana Mataji, Spiritual Head of the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram and Revered Swami Swatmaramananda, President of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa.
