On Sunday, February 2, a temple and cultural complex in Johannesburg, South Africa, were unveiled in a lavish ceremony. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the biggest. During the event, the first phase of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Multi-Cultural Centre and Temple was launched. South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, highlighted that the principles of BAPS align closely with South Africa's national value of Ubuntu. 

Praising the local Hindu community, Mashatile said, “We should reflect on the role that the Hindu community plays in nation-building. This community has a rich cultural heritage and values and has played a pivotal role in shaping the social fabric of our diverse society.” Hindus make up less than two per cent of the country's population, but Hinduism is still the main religion in the Indian community. The new temple in North Riding, north of Johannesburg, is built on a 14.5-acre plot of land and features a variety of facilities, including a cultural centre, a 3,000-seat auditorium, a 2,000-seat banqueting hall, a research institute, classrooms, an exhibition and recreational centres, and a clinic. Made of stone, the temple is similar to the one in Nairobi, Kenya. According to BAPS' Facebook page, it is the largest Hindu cultural complex in the Southern Hemisphere.

On Sunday, a large crowd of worshippers gathered before dawn to participate in a special ceremony led by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the 90-year-old spiritual leader of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). Mahant Swami Maharaj had travelled from India specifically for this occasion. On Saturday (February 1), a nagar yatra procession was held in Johannesburg, where dozens of monks participated, and the event was filled with devotional music from marching bands and dancers. Deputy President Paul Mashatile referred to the project as "a beacon of faith, culture, and unity" at the temple's opening. He also mentioned that BAPS is famous for its dedication to humanitarian work, social development and preserving culture. The new temple will not only be a place for worship but also a peaceful space for learning and spiritual growth, welcoming people from all walks of life.

Mashatile invited BAPS to collaborate with the government in tackling major issues like poverty, unemployment, violence, substance abuse and gender-based violence. Beyond its religious significance, the complex will focus on promoting cross-cultural understanding by offering educational programs and hosting events that bring together people from diverse backgrounds. The centre is dedicated to nurturing unity, compassion and community service, aligning with the core values of the Swaminarayan tradition. Hemang Desai, a BAPS spokesman, said the temple hopes to serve as a hub for "intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and exchange." "It's a place for networking, gathering, and communication, but mostly prayer," he stated. The location was picked, according to Desai, because of the sizable following that already exists in Johannesburg and "a large influx of expat Hindus" who are relocating to the area from other areas of the nation.

Desai said, “Phase two, which will begin very shortly, will be a very ornate Hindu temple with ancient Hindu architecture spanning from thousands of years ago spanning on South African soil.” The temple in North Riding, north of Johannesburg, will offer a variety of courses in art, dance, language, and faith in multiple languages spoken by the local community in South Africa. It will also house BAPS Charities. In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site to inspect the temple's construction ahead of the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue. South Africa is home to a vibrant Hindu community, which has led to the establishment of several temples, including Shree Sanatan Hindu Mandir, Durban Hindu Temple, and Sri Vishwaroopa Sanatan Hindu Union Temple, among the most prominent in the country.

One of the most well-known Hindu temples in South Africa is the Shree Sanathan Hindu Union (SSHU) Temple, which is situated in Durban. In the meantime, the Indian community frequently worships in Johannesburg's Shree Chidambaram Maruthi Temple.