Divine Life Society of South Africa celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Society and the 19th Anniversary of Sivananda Ghat on Wednesday 5 June 2024 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, an audio message by Pujya Swami Sahajananda and readings.

Sri Swami Sivananda, founder of the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India, sent four letters to Sri V. Sri Srinivasan Naidoo to open a Divine Life Society Branch in South Africa. The first letter (undocumented) was in 1949 The second letter was sent on 18 October 1949, the third on 11 November 1949, and the fourth on 5 June 1951. The latter three letters, which are documented, contained direct instructions from the Divine Master to Sri Srinivasan, later to be known as Pujya Swami Sahajananda. Divine Life Society of South Africa thus celebrates its anniversary on 3 days, namely 18 October, 11 November and 5 June. These and other letters were methodically kept by Pujya Swamiji. Below are excerpts from the letter dated 5 June 1951, read at the Satsang.

Divine Life Society of South Africa has been a regular participant in the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre's Annual Careers' Fair held at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre in Chatsworth. This year was no exception as the Society set up an information table at the fair on Saturday 11 May 2024, strategically positioned near the entrance, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement with attendees.

The careers' fair primarily attracted matric level learners, and thus, Divine Life Society of South Africa tailored its exhibited literature to cater to their interests and needs. Past copies of the Sunlit Path Magazines, a booklet entitled "The Challenges Facing Youth", and cards featuring the sayings of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, were prominently displayed. Additionally, books suitable for children were exhibited, ensuring a diverse array of reading materials for all ages.

Ganga Dussehra, Youth Day and the International Day of Yoga celebrations coincided with the June Yoga Camp on Sunday 16 June 2024. Youth Day in South Africa is a day on which South Africans honour the youth. Every year, 16 June is a South African public holiday. There are Youth Day celebrations country-wide to empower youth and all South Africans. Divine Life Society of South Africa has been celebrating Youth Day for several years. The teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda, as well as his advice to youth, form an integral part of the Youth Day programmes. Our youth coordinated and participated in the major part of the day's programmes, which commenced at 6am and concluded at 2.30pm.

Divine Life Society of South Africa’s Cape Town Prayer Group hosted the Society’s Centenary Celebrations’ Satsang, commemorating Sri Swami Sivananda’s Sannyas Centenary, at the Radha Krishna Mandir in Rylands, Cape Town, on Saturday 11 May 2024 at 3pm. The Satsang was preceded by Ganga Arati, which was a unique and new experience to many. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a message from the Society, a dance item, a forum discussion by the youth girls on Swami Sivananda’s cardinal teachings, and a video on the performance of Agnihotra. More than 200 devotees, well-wishers, members of sister-organisations and members of the public attended the celebrations.

The message from the Society traced the illustrious life and teachings of Swami Sivananda and the contributions of Swami Sahajananda, Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa. It also impressed upon all the importance of individual and collective Sadhana for spiritual growth. An excerpt from the message captures the gestalt hereof: “In the midst of the very hectic lives that we lead, we encourage all to choose any one Mantra that you may have an affinity for, and to chant it day and night. A short Mantra like Om Sri Ram or Om Nama Sivaya may be repeated, and children can be taught this Mantra as well. It should be chanted before going to bed, on awakening, and especially when leaving home. We also encourage you to learn and recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa which has tremendous power and benefits”.  Alluding to the importance of Satsangs and Sunday Schools, the message stated, “We encourage all to take advantage of weekly Satsangs available at this Temple, and encourage all parents and grandparents to send their children to Sunday Schools and Satsangs at Temples and Ashrams, so that they may be equipped to face the challenges of life, and to face criticism and attacks on our Sanathan Dharma. It is up to each of us to ensure that Hinduism is kept alive, and that we  pass on our glorious Hindu Dharma to future generations. We note that there is a positive regeneration of Hinduism around the globe, and we encourage all to become practising Hindus even if you just repeat the Divine Name daily for a few minutes every morning and evening. It can’t get any simpler!” 

In a highly well-organised and beautiful function on Sunday 26 May 2024, our Chatsworth Branch honoured Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivananda on his 100th Sannyas Anniversary. The function was also in celebration of the Society's 75th Anniversary. The large gathering of devotees, donors, well-wishers and members of the public is indicative of the Master's and Pujya Swami Sahajananda's spiritual stature in the South African context. The programme comprised a Havan, Ganga Arati and Satsang. The Satsang programme consisted of a message from the Society, Kirtans, Bhajans, A Ramayana recital, a children's item, "Sri Gurudev Says", a delightful offering by the senior fathers, entitled, "Take a Packet of Grace Home Today", a dance and a youth play, "Learn to Type and Make Tea".

The message from the Society succinctly encapsulated Swami Sivananda's dynamic personality, his teachings and legacies, the role of Swami Sivananda in founding Divine Life Society of South Africa and Pujya Swami Sahajananda's silent, yet eloquent leadership for 75 years. Excerpts of the message appear herewith.