Click here to locate South Africa synagogues on a map
SOUTH AFRICA
Official Name: Republic of South Africa
Position: Africa’s southernmost country located where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. Bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Within the borders of South Africa is the landlocked nation of Lesotho.
Independence:
Colonized: Mid-19th Century by the United Kingdom Recognized: March 6, 1957 from the United Kingdom
Current Population: 24.5 million
Area: 238,535 km2 / 92,099 square miles
Capital: Pretoria
Languages: 11 official languages
National Groups: 79% black, 9% colored, 9% white, 2.5% Indian or Asian, and 0.5% other
JEWISH CENTERS
Active Community: Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, East London, Cape Town, Kimberly, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth
Inactive Community: Hundreds of small ones through the country
Jewish Population at its Height: 120,000 (1970s)
Estimated Current-Day Jewish Population: 80,000 (White European and Lemba)
Operational Synagogues: Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, East London, Cape Town, Kimberly, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth (incomplete list)
Cemeteries: Dozens throughout the country, large and small
SOUTH AFRICA'S SYNAGOGUES AND OTHER JEWISH ARCHITECTURE
New Gardens Synagogue, also known as Tikvat Yisrael (Hope of Israel)
Old Gardens Synagogue, also known as Tikvat Yisrael (Hope of Israel)
Kimberly Hebrew Congregation (Founded in 1871) Synagogue
Bloemfontein Progressive Synagogue
Johannesburg Hebrew Congregation (Formed in 1897) Great Synagogue
Witwatersrand Hebrew Congregation Great Synagogue
Durban United Hebrew Congregation (Founded in 1874) Synagogue