ABOUT US
Mahatma Gandhi Road Mandir
Cameron Street Mandir
THE HINDU SOCIETY CONSTITUTION
In 1935 the Executive Committee of the Society laid down the rules and regulations for members to abide by. These set of rules and regulations (originally drafted in Gujarati) evolved over time and formed the basis of the Constitution of the Hindu Society. The Schools are incorporated as sub-committees of the Society. To explore the details within Constitution and our Rules and Regulations, please download a copy from the links below
HISTORY OF THE HINDU SOCIETY
CAMERON STREET TEMPLE FOUNDATION LAYING (1928)
1ST HINDU TEMPLE CAMERON STREET SALISBURY
BHARAT LIBRARY (1935)
SENATOR CDE KANTIBHAI G PATEL (1985)
GANDHIJI ASHES, GUJARATI SCHOOL, SALISBURY (1948)
ANSON ROAD MANDIR CONSTRUCTION (1986 – 1990)
CONSTRUCTION OF 2ND AUMKAR TEMPLE (1991)
ANSON ROAD MANDIR (1992)
WESTRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION PUJA (1997 – 98)
PLACEMENT OF IDOLS (2001)
INSTALLATION OF MURTIS CEREMONY (2001)
CONSTRUCTION OF ECD BLOCK (2019)
RENOVATION OF BOARDROOM (2021)
SENIOR MEMBERS WOMEN (2022)
SENIOR MEMBERS MEN (2022)
1916 to 1969
- 1916: An informal Committee of Hindus and Muslims makes representation to Colonial Authorities for land for Cemetery and cremation purposes. Land is allocated at Pioneer Cemetery for Hindu Cremations /burials and Islamic Cemetery.
- 1926: Formation of Hindu Society by founding pioneer families/members.
- 1926-1927: After prolonged efforts Hindu Society is given a land grant of three stands in Cameron Street for religious and educational purposes by the Colonial Administration.
- 1928: Society purchases stand 2036 on the corner of Bank and Cameron Street.
- 1928: First Annual Conference of the Hindu Society.
- 1928: Construction and laying of foundation stone for Hindu Gujarati School and Hostel by Srinivas Shastri. First classes in English and Gujarati commence by year end, for six founding pupils. Bharat Library accommodated in one of the classrooms.
- 1928: Construction and laying of foundation stone for Omkar Temple. Foundation stone was laid by Lalji Dayalji Vashi, President of the Hindu Society.
- Sep 1935: Executive Committee formulates the Rules and Regulations for The Society. This later forms the basis of the Constitution.
- Oct 1941: Brick Furnace Crematorium was built by Society after Municipality postponed the planned crematorium at Pioneer Cemetery.
- 1942: First annual seven days of “Saptah” during Janmashtami as a way of raising donations for Society activities.
- Feb 1943: 50 new members were added bringing the total membership to 95.
- Oct 1944: A Hall Committee was set up at the AGM to raise funds and plans to build a Hall between the Temple and School building.
- 1948: Commemoration of arrival of Gandhi’s ashes in Salisbury and prayer ceremony by Gujarati school children in Temple.
- 1950: Stand 2036 (Next to Gujarati school Building) purchased from Jinabhai P Naik. Society now owned six stands; 2030-2036 on Cameron Street.
- 1953: Silver Jubilee of the Hindu Society formation and first Annual Conference.
- “Gunjhan” historic trip to Beira and Lorenzo Marques by Gujarati school children
- 1957: Construction of Liberty Hall on land between the School and Temple. Foundation Stone laid by Sir Robert Tredgold.
- 1959: Social & Welfare Sub-Committee created. Mahila Mandal formed by SWC
- Rise in membership as a consequence of the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland and migration of Hindu families to Salisbury.
- Oct 1959: Society applies to City Council for land for sports grounds in Ridgeview.
- Oct 1964: Bhajan Mandal formed as sub-committee of Hindu Society.
- June 1965: Plans finalised for the addition of two classrooms to the main school building. Fundraising Committee setup to raise donations.
- Oct 1968: Society approaches Salisbury City Council for allocation of land in Ridgeview to build Community Centre, Temple and School.
- Jan 1969: Preparations by Social & Welfare Committee to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s birth centenary in October 1969. Various cultural programs and events took place. 500 copies of Mahatma Gandhi Centenary book were published and sold to raise funds.
- 25 May 1969: All Rhodesia Bhajan Samelan held at Gujarati School premises.
Oct 1971: At AGM members approved plans to build shops on stand 2030 next to Gujarati School building (later named Tagore House).
1971 to 2001
- Nov 1971: City Council offer Society to purchase 8 hectares of land in Ridgeview at a price of $24,600. Terms were 20% deposit and balance payable over 5 years at 7% interest. Executive Committee unanimously approved purchase.
- Oct 1973: Bi-AGM approved construction of shops on stand 2030 (Tagore house) subject to mortgage finance availability.
- 1975: Acquisition of Anson Road land in Ridgeview at a favourable rate from City Council.
- Architect’s sketch plans for Ridgeview Community Centre presented to AGM. Fundraising Committee set up and tasked with raising donations for all community members. Other fundraising activities included variety shows by Gujarati School and Hindu Youth League, joint Fete held by Hindu Woman’s Council and Sunrise Sports Club.
- First stage of ten classrooms, hall and administration offices is completed. Final cost ends at $210,000.
- 1976: Construction of Gujarati School classrooms, hall and offices completed and opened on 12 December 1976. The Ridgeview Community Centre was officially named “Hindu Religious & Cultural Institute”. Transfer of Gujarati School from town to new premises in Ridgeview. The Nursery and Bal-Mandir joint class was accommodated in one if the new classrooms.
- 1978: Society marks Golden Jubilee of its inception and start of Gujarati school in 1928.
- Apr 1980: Numerous amendments to the Society Constitution were drafted and approved at AGM.
- Apr 1980: Gujarati school children participate in Zimbabwe Independence celebrations. Society holds reception at the Community Centre for Smt. Indira Gandhi, PM of India. Various new minister’s invited to special Havan ceremony held at Omkar Temple, Cameron Street.
- 1981: Approval given for Construction of dining hall and kitchen facilities in Anson Road. Social Welfare Committee hold various fundraising activities, such as the “Oriental Fete”. Second and third stages of walls and floors completed in 1982/83.
- Mar 1985: At Bi-AGM proposal to build New Temple in Ridgeview discussed. At special General Meeting in July 1985 unanimous approval received to go ahead with New Temple construction. Fund raising target set of $1 million. Meeting agreed that The Omkar symbol be the centerpiece of the new Temple.
- Feb 1986: Building Committee is formed to obtain preliminary designs and engage services of an architect.
- 1986-1990: Fundraising drive amongst Community members to finance construction of Omkar Temple in Ridgeview. Inaugural opening of Temple in April 1992.
- 1990: Construction of nursery classrooms to house the existing Bal Mandir.
- 1991-1992: AGM approval received to start Westridge Primary School. Steering Committee formed to plan for operating primary school using Gujarati School classrooms. School commenced in January 1992 with two nursery classes, Grade One and Two. Founding Headmaster was Manubhai S. Patel
- Aug 1997: Additional four classrooms and “E Block” were built opposite dining hall to accommodate Grades Five to Seven of Primary School.
- Sep 1997: Swimming pool completed between Nursery and new classroom block. Cost was entirely paid for by a Community member.
- 1997-1998: AGM agreed plans to start a High School to cater for children from the primary school. City Council was approached to acquire land along Ganges Road (adjacent to our Anson Road property) for purposes of building and operating a high school.
- 1997-98: Using Society reserve funds and donations raised from prominent community members, construction began on the first phase of classrooms and specialty rooms (Laboratories and Art rooms). A Steering Committee was formed to prepare for registration and operations of the High School.
- Jan 1999: Westridge High School opened for Forms One and Two. Founding Headmaster was Naran Kala.
- 1999-2000: Additional buildings (Administration, Library and Resource Centre) built through the generosity of one donor family.
- Apr 2001: Installation of Murtis in Ridgeview Omkar Temple. Event was marked by a joyous celebration amongst the Hindu Community over a four day period.
2005 to 2022
- 2005-06: Construction of Gayatri Hall at Westridge High School. Development of sports grounds and facilities.
- 2007-08: Society received a donation of five properties from United Cultural Institute (four on Herbert Chitepo Street, Harare and one in Bulawayo). UCI comprised members of The Ramakrishna Vedanta Society which decided to cease its activities under UCI.
- 2010-2012: Property & Buildings Committee worked on converting the Old Gujarati School building and Liberty Hall into commercial shops thereby substantially increasing Society’s rental income.
- 2012-2016: Society purchased three industrial properties utilising surplus funds for purposes of growing the Society’s asset base and increasing rental revenue.
- 2017: Celebrations held in April for the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Ridgeview Omkar Temple.
- 2022: 30th Anniversary of the opening of the Omkar Temple Ridgeview and 21st Anniversary of Murtis Sthapna celebrated in April.
Interviews with Senior Members of the Hindu Society