Seventy four (74) learners from the following three secondary schools attended the follow-up workshop at the Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre on Friday, 17 February 2017: Crossmoor, Newhaven and Risecliff. It was indeed pleasing to see that learners listened attentively and asked searching questions. An educator from one of the schools was pleasantly surprised to listen to the lively and intelligent responses of the learners from his school. He said that this must surely be due to the non-threatening environment of the Centre, which was conducive to learning.

Mahasivaratri was observed at all Ashrams and branches of Divine Life Society of S.A on Friday, 24 February 2017. It was pleasing to see that devotees gathered in large numbers to fervently worship Lord Siva, absorbed in the programme of messages from our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, an audio message from Pujya Swami Sahajananda, an audio recording of inspiring Bhajans & Kirtans by our Divine Master, Bhajans & Kirtans by devotees, chanting and offering of bael leaves to the sacred Siva Linga, video presentations, an audio recording of a play, “Old Drum New Palace” written by Sri Swami Sivananda, readings, classical dances and recitation of sacred verses on Lord Siva.

Through the Grace and blessings of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda, the Estcourt Branch of Divine Life Society of SA held a successful and well attended Hindu Dharma Campaign on Sunday 12 February 2017, at the Swami Sahajananda Community Centre in Forderville.

New Years Message by Sri Swami Sivananda

By the command of the Indestructible Being, minutes, hours, days and nights, stand apart. By the command of the Immortal Brahman, months, years, seasons and solstices stand apart. He who knows this Indestructible Being is a liberated sage or Jivanmukta. Time rolls on. New becomes old and old becomes new again. Today is the most auspicious New Year's Day. God has given you another chance this year to enable you to strive for your salvation. Today man is. Tomorrow he is not. Therefore, avail yourself of this golden opportunity, struggle hard and reach the goal of life.

It was 9 years ago since Pujya Swami Sahajananda, the apostle of self-surrender and the godlike disciple of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, withdrew from his physical body to continue the divine work from the higher celestial regions. To mark this occasion, Divine Life Society of South Africa observed 10 December 2016 in his sacred memory. The day commenced at 6am with Ganga Arati, Invocation, visit to Sahaja Kutir, Pujya Swamiji's room and Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Centre. Chanting of the Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram Mantra started at 7am and concluded at 3pm. This was followed by a Homa (Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra) from 3 – 3.30pm. After tea, Ganga Arati started at 4pm and Satsang thereafter.