Johannesburg, March 8 Thousands of people from various communities enthusiastically celebrated Holi over the weekend at a range of public events, including a Holi celebration in the Brij style, which was a first for South Africa.
On Sunday, the Consulate General of India in Johannesburg and the India Club hosted a final Holi celebration at the Radheshyam Temple in Sandton.
To accommodate the working population, most Holi celebrations in South Africa traditionally take place on the Saturday following the actual date according to the Hindu calendar.
However, for the Hindu community in Johannesburg South, it has been important for decades to host Holi celebrations on the actual day in the evening, combining the religious significance with cultural festivities, including dance, music, and traditional food stalls.
"As always, we had hundreds of community members participate. What was particularly gratifying was to see the increasing participation of young people in Holi. Perhaps, the Bollywood-themed activities at our events also attract them," said Vishal Nana, one of the organizers.
The Bollywood theme also extended to the renowned University of the Witwatersrand, where the Hindu Students Society organized a Holi celebration on Saturday, which was well-received by their fellow students from various communities.
"It was so much fun to throw colored powders on our friends. This Holi truly embodies the spirit of community, oneness, and unity," said medical student Xolisa Buthelezi.
On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Devbhumi Sanghatan (UPDES), an organization founded by Indian expatriates in South Africa, hosted an all-day event where numerous community members celebrated Holi with abandon in the Brij style, brandishing sticks.
"We are happy that for the first time, we are celebrating Holi Rangotsav, just as it is done in Vrindavan and Barsana every year. We gave our community and other Indians the opportunity to experience authentic Barsana ki lath maar Holi, the Hasya Kavi Sammelan, along with cultural performances and music," said UPDES president Ashish Sharma.
To avoid clashes with the many activities on Saturday, the India Club and the Consulate General of India in Johannesburg hosted a final Holi celebration in the city on Sunday at the Radheshyam Temple in Sandton, a key economic hub in South Africa.
Families, youth groups, and visitors gathered for a day filled with music and dancing amidst clouds of colored powder.
"Holi is about joy, forgiveness, and renewal. It is a day when people forget past disagreements and celebrate life together," said Gourish Chakravorty of the India Club.
He said that the event has steadily gained popularity in recent years and added, "It has become a celebration not only for Hindus but for the entire community."
Referring to Holi as a "universal message of harmony, friendship, and renewal," Acting Consul General for India in Johannesburg, Harish Kumar, said as he joined the event at the temple: "It is heartening to see how warmly the festival is embraced in South Africa, reflecting the deep cultural ties between India and this country."
For many South African Indian families, the festival has become an important annual tradition.
Priya Singh, who attended the event with her children, said that Holi offered a chance to connect younger generations with their cultural heritage.
"My children love the colors and the music, but we also explain to them the story behind the festival. It reminds us of our roots while also celebrating the diversity of South Africa," Singh said.
