On Saturday 12 July 2008 at our City Hall we spent a short while celebrating the life of Swami Sahajananda.  At that celebration were thousands of people who had been touched by this great man whose work in our city will remain with us always.  Swamiji had been appointed as Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society.  Since 1974 he has initiated and completed well over 300 projects, including schools, crèches, children’s homes, clinics, Peace and Skills Training Centres, hydroponic gardening, housing for the underprivileged and many more.  All across the province his fruits and that of devotees of Divine Life Society are well known.  The Sivananda Ghat at Umgeni River and Sivananda College for Further Education and Training in KwaMashu are outstanding examples of his mission.

Swamiji had great compassion for our young people, working hard to turn them from modern evils of drugs, alcohol and suicidal tendencies.  He worked actively in practice with all faiths.

Our council honoured Swamiji just before his death and Mayor Mlaba said at that time that “It is important to honour people who have done immense work in developing and making a contribution in our society”.  Our Council meeting in KwaXimba approved and handed over a scroll to Swamiji.

Death is a great leveller, but for a great person who was so humble it was wonderful seeing him being honoured by as diverse range of people as Father Michaelson (OMI Catholic Church), Reverend Peter (former rector of Springhfield College of Eduication), Phumzile Lthiyane (Educator at Sivananda FET College, KwaMashu) and our council leadership represented by Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo.

Emerson’s poem Celestial Love captures beautifully Swamiji: “For he that feeds men, serveth few, He serves all, who dares be true.”

• Love

• Empathy

• Attitude

• Discipline, and

• Service.
  

If we live our lives guided by these values we will all be great leaders.