Expansion for Scientology in South Africa
Church of Scientology has acquired the famous Johannesburg landmark, the Kyalami Castle, to be the home of its new advanced spiritual retreat. This marks a significant step for Scientologists who until now had to travel all the way to the U.S., Australia, Denmark or England for their higher spiritual progress.
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Kyalami Castle now belongs to the Church of Scientology.
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"For all African Scientologists, this is a dream finally come true," said Paul Sondergaard, national Director of the Public Affairs Office. "It means a lot to the future expansion of the Church in Africa."
The 64,000 square foot castle on 22 acres of land will be providing religious services to people from throughout the Continent. It is the latest acquisition in a long series of 66 buildings the Church has purchased internationally over the past 5 years to accommodate the Church's expansion.
"But the Kyalami Castle is the best yet," says Sondergaard, "and a fitting tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Church in Southern Africa."
Other buildings have been purchased in South Africa over the past year including for the the seven-story St. Georges Center in the heart of Cape Town City for the Church of Scientology of Cape Town, buildings in Morningside for the Church of Scientology of Durban, a new home for the Church of Scientology of Pretoria on Church Street in that city, and a stunning building on the recently renovated Goven Mbeki Avenue for the Church of Scientology of Port Elizabeth. In Johannesburg, the Church has become a prominent feature in the Kensington, Bedforview area, having taken over the old Kensington Golf Club house, which it subsequently expanded and fully renovated.
For those who have questions about the Church, a new video channel has been launched on its official website (www.Scientology.org). The Scientology Video Channel provides a comprehensive overview of the basic beliefs and practices of the religion while answering the question "What is Scientology?" and provides information on the many humanitarian programs sponsored by the Church—programs addressing drug abuse, illiteracy, human rights and disaster relief.
L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, once wrote: "From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilization on this planet...." and African Scientologists feel the acquisition of this new Advanced Organization is a significant step in the accomplishment of this dream.
The Church of Scientology was first established in the United States in 1954, and the first African Church opened in Johannesburg in 1957.
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