Our History
A Legacy Built by Community
The story of Shree Sanathan Dharam Suthsung Sabha reaches back to the early Hindu community of New Farm. Officially established on 4 April 1942, the Sabha grew from a shared desire for education, worship and community life into an institution that has served generations of families.
From a school and prayer space in New Farm to our home in Phoenix today, that journey was made possible by people who gave their time, labour, resources and faith to something larger than themselves.
The Beginning
A Community Comes Together
Before the Sabha was formally established, members of the New Farm community were already meeting and discussing the need for two things that mattered deeply to them: a place of education and a place of worship.
The area then known as New Farm included parts of what are today Rydalvale, Lenham, Sunford, Eastbury and Grove End. Early meetings were held at the temple site of Mr Peter Ragavan, in the area now known as Chartford Drive.
On 4 April 1942, Shree Sanathan Dharam Suthsung Sabha was officially established. The historical account records the founding leadership as including Mr S. Jankiepersad, who also served as Chairperson, together with Mr N. Sookoo, Mr M. Soobramoney and Mr S. Suran, with Mr Arjun Singh serving as secretary.
Their vision was not simply to erect a building. Education, worship and service to the community were at the heart of what they were trying to create.
Our Founding Story
A Promise Written on Brown Paper
One of the most remarkable stories preserved in the Sabha’s oral history concerns the land on which its early work would take place.
The committee had been negotiating with Mr Ramkissoon, who was involved in selling land in New Farm, for a piece of property that could be used for education. A verbal promise had been made, but Mr S. Jankiepersad wanted something more secure.
The history remembers Mr Jankiepersad travelling by bicycle and Mr Ramkissoon travelling by truck. When the two met in Mount Edgecombe, Mr Jankiepersad asked him to put the promise in writing.
There was no formal document at hand.
A piece of brown paper was found.
On it, Mr Ramkissoon wrote down his promise. That simple piece of paper was kept safely.
If you wish to get ghee out of a bottle, you have to bend your finger a little.Recollection attributed to Mr Arjun Singh
The lesson was simple: sometimes determination requires finding a way forward.
Mr and Mrs Ramkissoon passed away before the transfer could be completed. When the Sabha later approached the surviving family, the promise recorded on the brown paper was honoured and the land was transferred to the Sabha.
A Home for Education
The Suthsung Sabha School
The transfer was formally recorded in 1955. The property measured approximately 4,532 square metres, and the title deed records its transfer to the trustees of the Sabha on 7 October 1955.
From 1955 until 1977, the Sabha built and managed the Suthsung Sabha School in New Farm. A portion of the school grounds was also set aside for Hindu prayer and worship.
But the story of the school was broader than any one faith community.
The historical account remembers Hindu, Muslim and Christian residents of New Farm working together as one big family. Members of all three communities helped raise funds and build the school.
That spirit of cooperation is an important part of the Sabha’s history and the community from which it emerged.
Circa 1960/61
A School Opens Its Doors
The official opening of Suthsung Sabha School around 1960/61 marked an important chapter in the Sabha’s commitment to education and community life.
Losing the First Home
A New Chapter Begins
The Sabha’s first property could not remain its permanent home.
On 8 August 1977, the New Farm land was expropriated by the Department of Community Development and handed over to the then Durban Corporation. The Sabha received compensation of approximately R21,000.
The loss of the property brought the school era to an end, but not the institution.
The search began for a new site from which the Sabha could continue its work.
New Farm1942 to 1977Phoenix1987 onwards
A decade passed between the loss of one home and the securing of another.
Finding a New Home
88 Clayfield Drive
After years of searching and negotiation, the Sabha secured a new property from the Durban City Council.
On 14 April 1987, Lot 238, measuring approximately 3,372 square metres, was purchased at 88 Clayfield Drive, Clayfield, Phoenix. The historical account records the purchase price as R6,110 and credits philanthropist Mr Logan Reddy with providing the funds. The property was registered on 14 August 1987.
For a community that had lost its former home a decade earlier, the acquisition of Clayfield Drive represented far more than another piece of land.
It offered the Sabha the opportunity to begin again.
88Clayfield Drive, Phoenix
Building the New Sabha
The Foundation Is Laid
Architect Mr R. Choudree prepared plans for the new Sabha premises, following a recommendation from Dr S. Sookoo. The Sabha then began another major fundraising effort.
The history records assistance from trusts, organisations, businesses, community leaders and members of the public. Among those acknowledged are the Parsee Rustomjee Trust, Gandhi Trust, SA Sanathan Dharam Trust and the Churanam family, together with other individual supporters.
On 10 December 1989, under the chairmanship of Mr K. P. Seebran, the foundation-laying ceremony for the new Sabha was held.
10 December 1989
A New Foundation in Phoenix
Foundation-laying ceremony at 88 Clayfield Drive, Clayfield, Phoenix, 10 December 1989.
Perseverance
Built a Little at a Time
Construction continued, but the journey was not straightforward.
By 1997, the building had reached first-floor level, yet construction had stalled as funds ran low. The historical account records that the City Council was pressing for the building to be completed and wanted evidence that the Sabha had the financial means to continue.
At that critical point, Roshan Kooblal deposited R5,000 as working capital to demonstrate that funds were available and that further support would follow. Correspondence was then sent to the City Council and construction was able to continue.
Around the same period, the unfinished premises were already beginning to serve their intended purpose. A group known as the Phoenix Bhajan Mandil approached the Sabha to use the basement for suthsung, and permission was granted.
The building did not have to be finished before the service began.
A New Generation
Carrying the Work Forward
A new committee was elected on 4 March 2000, and the historical record names Praveen Kooblal, Namrata Sunker, K. P. Seebran and Roshan Kooblal as the trustees appointed at that time.
Over the years that followed, the temple and Sabha premises continued to develop through the contributions of members, donors, tradespeople, religious organisations and volunteers.
The historical record acknowledges assistance with work including the temple dome, engineering, altar rebuilding, tiling and stage improvements.
Every stage of the Sabha’s development has been the result of people contributing what they could: leadership, professional skills, labour, materials, donations, prayer and seva.
With Gratitude
Those Who Made It Possible
The Sabha’s development has been made possible by generations of members, donors, community organisations, professionals, tradespeople and volunteers. The historical record acknowledges many individuals and organisations who contributed funds, materials, expertise and seva along the way.
Among those named in the record are the Parsee Rustomjee Trust, the Gandhi Trust, the SA Sanathan Dharam Trust, the Churanam family and Mr Logan Reddy.
A Home Shared With the Community
More Than a Temple
One of the strongest themes in the Sabha’s history is that its premises have long served a wider community.
Through the years, the Sabha has opened its doors to religious, educational, cultural and community organisations from across Phoenix and the wider Durban community.
Its story has therefore never been only about constructing a building. It has been about creating a place where worship, learning, fellowship and service can continue.
Legacy
Honouring the Past. Building for Those Who Follow.
The history of Shree Sanathan Dharam Suthsung Sabha is not the story of one building or one generation.
It began with families who recognised the importance of education and worship. It continued through a promise written on brown paper, the building of a school, the loss of the Sabha’s first property, the acquisition of a new home in Phoenix and decades of determined rebuilding.
At every stage, people stepped forward.
Some gave money. Some gave land, materials or professional expertise. Others gave their labour, leadership, time and seva.
The buildings changed and generations changed, but the purpose endured.
Today, we remember those who came before us with gratitude, and we carry their work forward for the generations still to come.
Established4 April 1942
About This History
This account has been compiled from Sabha records and oral history shared by community elders. The original historical notes were written by Roshan Kooblal. As further photographs, documents and memories are recovered, this history may continue to grow.