KWADUKUZA, SOUTH AFRICA, April 6, 2003: A Hindu temple that was abandoned by sugarcane farmers and their families because of crime and land invasions is to be converted into a church after being donated to a Christian organization. The Shree Hanuman Temple was built in 1982 by the Sing brothers and members of the Nonoti community, outside KwaDukuza. Madhan Sing, who built a temporary temple at his home, said the temple had been donated to the New Nation Church of God as a gesture of goodwill. “The Deities from the temple were removed two years ago when I moved out of Nonoti with my family after my wife was held up at gunpoint by a gang of armed men,” he said. More than 20 farmers in the area have abandoned their farms in the wake of growing crime and steady invasion of their land by squatters. “We thought that, instead of turning it into a shop or butchery, it would be best if it continued to be a place of prayer. My family certainly has no regrets about converting our former temple into a church. The building will be put to good use for religious work.” Sing is preparing to build a full-fledged temple in Stanger Manor for more than 200 worshippers. He said that he was confident that the donation of the temple would strengthen ties between the Christian and Hindu communities.
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