ubuntu

Nguni: /oo-buhn-too/ (noun.)

The principle that we are defined by our compassion and humanity towards others

Umuntu umuntu ngabantu – IsiZulu idiom

“I am because you are”

About ISKCON Soweto

POPULATION

2 MILLION

With a population of over 2 million, the township is the biggest black urban settlement in Africa with a rich political history. Soweto was at the centre of the anti-apartheid movement and the home to many celebrated figures in South Africa’s pursuit for freedom.

COMPARATIVE POPULATION SIZE

Soweto is a city within a city. Nestled in the south-western district of the City of Johannesburg, Soweto was developed as a township for black people under the apartheid system. The name Soweto is an acronym, made up from the first letters of the words “south western township”. Today, the sprawling township has transformed into one of the fasted growing urban nodes in South Africa, comparable in population size to cities such as Paris and Chicago, further highlighting its historical status and growing influence

SOWETO

PARIS

CHICAGO

Soweto

Paris

Chicago

HISTORY & HEROS

In 1886 gold is discovered in the reef, triggering a mass migration to the goldfields. The townships constituting Soweto grew out of shantytowns and slums that arose with the arrival of Black labourers from rural areas, in particular in the period between World Wars I and II. Nelson Mandela moved into Soweto in 1946 and remained there until his arrest in 1962. In 1963 the name Soweto is officially adopted. In June 1976 students from Soweto schools embark on an uprising in protest against a government decree that Afrikaans be used a medium of instruction. The formation of several youth led anti-apartheid movements are birthed in Soweto. Vilakazi Street was home of two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Former President Nelson Mandela. Soweto is a place where heroes are neighbours and the ideals of freedom, self-determination and our common humanity are cornerstones of its foundation.

Srila Prabupada

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is the extraordinary person who dedicated his life to teaching the world about Krishna consciousness, ancient India’s most noble message of spiritual wisdom.

Srila Prabhupada visited South Africa in October 1975, a significant event marking the beginning of ISKCON’s presence in the country. His visit, particularly his talks at Durban City Hall and the University of Witwatersrand (WITS), emphasised the equality of all beings and the universal nature of Krishna consciousness, which was a powerful message in the racially segregated South Africa of that time. Srila Prabhupada’s most significant contributions, perhaps, are his books. He authored over 70 volumes of translation and commentary on classics such as Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana), Chaitanya-charitamrita, and the Bhagavad-gita.

Kadamba Kanana Swami

In 2007, ISKCON Soweto made history by hosting its first Festival of Chariots, a large-scale spectacle that invited the local community to pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath through the streets, a tradition rooted in the ancient world. Though the first festival was modest in scale, it marked the beginning of a transformative movement. From the very start, Kadamba Kanana Swami was a guiding presence, offering his unwavering support and filling the event with his deep devotion and love for kirtan. Kadamba Kanana Swami’s influence on the festival was profound. He played a pivotal role in its establishment and became a lasting source of inspiration for organisers and participants alike. Renowned for his musical gifts and spiritual depth, his energy helped shape the festival’s vibrant atmosphere. Even after his passing, his legacy endures through The Kadamba Foundation, which supports the ISKCON Soweto Festival of Chariots fundraising efforts by distributing his books and recordings. His teachings remain alive in every beat of the kirtan and every step of the chariot, a reminder that devotion is the heart of the festival..

THE STORY OF ISKCON SOWETO

In the mid 1980s, at the height of political unrest in Soweto, a young Mahaprabhu Dasa was inspired to turn his political activism towards spiritual activism. Thus, within his home, in Meadowlands, Soweto he regularly began to host Krishna conscious gatherings attracting many of Soweto’s young people. As a result of his dedication to seeing not only the socio-political liberation of his people and community but seeing their spiritual liberation being essential, Mahaprabhu Das founded New Mayapur Dham (ISKCON Soweto) in 1996. Today, ISKCON Soweto serves thousands of local schools with sanctified Krishna prasadam (vegetarian food), and hosts the annual Soweto Festival of Chariots as a celebration of a rainbow of cultures coming together as one in singing God’s holy names.

Donate

We invite you to support the ongoing mission of ISKCON Soweto, born from a vision of both spiritual and social upliftment. Your donation helps us continue serving sanctified meals to local schools, hosting community festivals like the Soweto Festival of Chariots, and spreading the message of love and unity through Krishna consciousness. Every contribution, big or small, brings light to Soweto and helps uplift countless lives. Please consider donating today.

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