ISKCON South Africa Annual Report - 2014 | Page 25

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* Feature – Govinda’s Cape Town

#ISKCONinAction
Rondebosch. Being walking distance from the train station and worldrenowned University of Cape Town, it was the ideal location for an
outreach centre. The old structures of the building have gradually been
renovated into a beautiful temple, attracting persons from all different
backgrounds to learn about the process of Krishna consciousness and
receive the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
Govinda’s Natural Food Café was established in June 2011 by Jyotir Maya
from the urging and inspiration of Vraja Krishna, who had a vision of a place
that would attract the student population of Cape Town by providing a
place for them to “hang out” and be introduced to the wonderful world of
prasadam (vegetarian food offered to Krishna) and the culture of an
alternative lifestyle based on spiritual principles. Funds were raised and a
previously neglected part of the old building was transformed into a trendy
and lively café. In order to honor the memory of his spiritual master, His
Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami, Vraja Krishna had a lotus design incorporated
into the brickwork of the café’s front courtyard. Bhakti Tirtha Swami was
nicknamed the “Black Lotus” and is generally considered the pioneer of
dynamic and alternative ways of making the spiritual culture of Krishna
consciousness more accessible to people of all backgrounds.

At any given moment one may find a rich variety of
customers from many different race and age groups, all
enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and tasty prasadam
Cape Town has always had a history of being a cosmopolitan city, dating
back to the days of Dutch and British occupation in the 18th and 19th
centuries. It’s ideal location between two trade routes led to many ships
stopping by, bringing varieties of peoples and cultures, many of whom
remained or left some influence behind them before moving on. Situated
on the southernmost tip of Africa, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, with
strong winds carrying fresh ocean air sweeping across its plains and the
world-famous Table Mountain beaming majestically in the background, it is
a vibrant and energetic city.
At the heart of the city lies the Hare Krishna Temple of Culture and
Spirituality. It had its humble beginnings in January of 1988, when Vardanya
Das and Bimal Prasada Das purchased an old building in