WINDS OF CHANGE:
SCIENTOLOGY HEADQUARTERS FOR AFRICA SPRINGS TO LIFE AT MAJESTIC CASTLE KYALAMI

In a stunning Grand Opening ceremony and a week filled with celebration, the new Advanced Organisation and Saint Hill Africa brings continental Scientology headquarters and centre of social betterment to the Rainbow Nation and all of Africa.

Atop a plateau that Zulu tribal people once called “The Place in Heaven,” the distant beat of djembe drums became a celebratory symphony of rhythm that set a week’s worth of glorious festivities into motion. More than 4,000 guests from all over Africa and every corner of the globe had gathered at the magnificently restored Castle Kyalami for an historic Grand Opening ceremony. It was a celebration filled with pride and passion, a celebration of continental hope uplifted, a celebration of spiritual freedom and yet another milestone in the history of the Church of Scientology—a new Advanced Organisation and Saint Hill for Africa.

For aeons, this sacred hilltop at Midrand has overlooked the vast and rich lands of South Africa, a vision spanning endless miles in all directions. Now it offers a different sort of vision, one extending even farther than the eye can see, into a new spiritual realm.

On New Year’s Day, with breathtaking views from the rise ahead and the striking form of Castle Kyalami behind, Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, standing before the crowd of thousands gathered, spoke to the monumental nature of this unprecedented grand opening.

“Today you are witnessing history: This first new Advanced Organisation in our Golden Age, this nation where new millennium Churches of Scientology first arose, this launch point to bring our help everywhere else. If anything qualifies as ‘consecrated ground,’ then this is certainly it. And it’s all the more sacred, since this is also where they will tell you Mankind was born and the ‘umbilical cord’ still lies buried beneath our feet. But, either way, you are standing at the crossroads of three million years gone and an infinite future to come.”

In honour of that extraordinary future, a choir of hundreds dressed in traditional African garb, filled the Castle from platform to parapet, dancing and singing “Winds of Change”—an original song written especially for the occasion. Inspired by L. Ron Hubbard and his dream of unbounded spiritual freedom for Africa, the performance captured the hearts of all those in attendance. Dignitaries representing the South African police and government joined in chorus and collectively hailed the historic occasion as a “new awakening for our beloved Africa.”

At the centre of that heavenly hilltop, on 22 acres of land, the 87,000-square-foot Castle Kyalami stands in testament to the religion’s commitment to helping create an Africa that can fulfil its unlimited potential. The Castle’s presence reflects the magical aura of the South African landscape as it looks toward the nation’s twin giants of Gauteng—Johannesburg to the south and Pretoria to the north. The panoramic views quickly captivate visitors, and the Castle’s 12 crenellated turrets and eight-inch-thick walls give it a unique ambience. The elegant interior augmented by Italian marble floors, mined from the same quarries used by Michelangelo, lent its own special atmosphere to the spectacular grand opening.

The inauguration of the Advanced Organisation embodies the realisation of a dream first expressed in 1966 by L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of the Scientology religion. He sought to bring the messages of Scientology on human rights and social betterment to the land of apartheid—where, at the time, and for three decades to come, freedom was only a dream for tens of millions of Africans.

During the depths of the brutal apartheid regime, Mr. Hubbard advocated for and wrote a new Bill of Rights and constitution for South Africa under a “one man, one vote” proposal designed exclusively to emancipate every South African.

In dedication to that vision of freedom, Scientology has opened numerous Churches and Missions across the continent over the past 50 years. Now, with the establishment of Castle Kyalami, the number of spiritual and humanitarian opportunities has grown exponentially.

Here Scientologists throughout the continent will find Scientology services allowing parishioners to advance their spiritual journey to the upper reaches of the Bridge to Total Freedom and right on African soil. The expansive facility includes a Hubbard Guidance Centre spanning an entire wing for auditing (spiritual counselling), an Academy for the training of auditors to serve in Scientology organisations across Africa, as well as an entire division for the guidance of parishioners at the Advanced Levels of the Bridge.

Beyond the spiritual work of the Church within the new Advanced Organisation, the day also saw the simultaneous dedication of a Continental Liaison Office for ecclesiastical management of Scientology across the region. This is a generation point providing a vital link between the Church and religious, civic and social organisations across the African continent. From here, the Church will coordinate social and humanitarian outreach programmes already reaching hundreds of millions in the name of a drug-free, crime-free, moral and just world. In fact, in combination with Castle Kyalami, the liaison office represents a dynamic hub of humanitarian aid that, in addition to broad-scale initiatives, will see to the hosting of seminars and events focused on coalescing community and interfaith forces to address social ills that are so often ignored.

The Grand Opening ceremony itself dug into the Church’s deep well of social partnerships in Southern Africa. Dignitaries welcoming the crowd and honouring the Church included Brigadier Sthembiso Shobede-Nkosi of the South African National Police; Apostle Matome Modiba, Executive Secretary of the National Interfaith Council of South Africa in Gauteng Province; Michael Tshishonga, the nation’s former Deputy Director General of Justice; and the Rev. Gift Moerane, Secretary of the Council of Churches in Gauteng and advisor to the South African National Peace Accord.

Brigadier Sthembiso Shobede-Nkosi welcomed the Church of Scientology to its new home on behalf of the South African police force. She further spoke of Kyalami as a bastion in the nation’s fight against drugs.

“The Church of Scientology has the unique ability to coordinate so many and bring them together under a single roof. You’ve already laid the foundation and countless numbers have joined hands with you now and said: ‘Yes, we are in.’ In that way, you’ve created a shared vision which drives our nation ever forward. I ask that together we embrace that vision and make this Castle Kyalami a stronghold from where our drug-free crusade reaches beyond the horizon. And all so we can achieve the ultimate victory and win the battle against drugs forevermore.”

Apostle Matome Modiba of the National Interfaith Council of South Africa spoke about the power of knowledge to unlock potential. He said he first became aware of the knowledge of Scientology through the Church’s interaction with the Interfaith Council.

“From the beginning, I saw your passion when you spoke of L. Ron Hubbard and his technology, which offers so many practical tools one needs in life right now,” he said. “I began to openly learn about the ways of Scientology and all the knowledge at your disposal. And I came to realise how our people need this technology, because it is practical. It is powerful.”

South Africa’s former Deputy Director General of Justice, Michael Tshishonga, told the assembled crowd that Mr. Hubbard’s courage on behalf of South Africa will never be forgotten.

“It’s true, there is always a beginning to the rainbow,” he said. “And for South Africa, the dream began with those individuals that were willing to stand up for the happiness of our people.… You were strong voices willing to echo into the darkness that cloaked our nation and expose psychiatric slave labour camps where our people were treated like cattle.… We will never forget what you did to stand up to those that kept our Madiba behind bars. Yes, Mr. Hubbard and the Church of Scientology have fought for us and so became one with us.”

The Rev. Gift Moerane, whose work as an advisor in the South African National Peace Accord first put him in touch with the humanitarian work of the Scientology religion, said he considers L. Ron Hubbard’s writings as a guide to better lives throughout Africa.

“When you read L. Ron Hubbard’s books you realise that we change the world if we become the volunteers of his thoughts,” he told the assembled crowd. “I like to say Dianetics and Scientology embody the spirit of Ubuntu: ‘I am because we are.’ It is that spirit which our land so desperately needs. So today, let the cannons fire and the trumpets sound. Let the lions roar, the elephants roam and the leopards run, because Africa now calls this incredible Castle home. And with that, a new awakening has come to our beloved Africa!”

Before cutting the enormous traditional red ribbon to mark the formal opening of the Advanced Organisation and Saint Hill Africa, Mr. Miscavige placed the already magical day in even greater context:

“If this is where human beings first walked upright, well this is where you can now show them how to fly. While beyond that—as if there is a beyond—it’s said that the place one yearns for is the place one is meant to be. Well, if it be Africa, then so it is Africa.

“And so, after all these years, you have arrived to witness both history and destiny—and all as our Founder declared from the first tick of time: ‘From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilisation on this planet.’

“And with that, I now dedicate this Advanced Organisation and Saint Hill Africa in the name of L. Ron Hubbard.”

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This was a Grand Opening so grand it couldn’t be contained to one day.

JANUARY 1: RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR ON AN HISTORIC NOTE

The Grand Opening of the Advanced Organisation was the crowning achievement of an era of global expansion and the kickoff to a week of jubilant celebration. Day after day, music was in the air as African singers, drummers and dancers entertained the global gathering of Scientologists and local guests, on outdoor terraces throughout the 22-acre estate. International guests were given a taste of South African culture and cuisine with an on-site African marketplace featuring handcrafted jewellery and crafts and traditional braais (South African BBQ). And the week offered a series of special events, which drew tribal chiefs, humanitarian champions, as well as local and international Scientologists.

JANUARY 2: THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE BLOWING

Exhilarated after the historic Grand Opening and energised to build on the momentum of the day, Scientologists from across Africa gathered to plan for future expansion throughout the continent, with new Churches on the horizon in Port Elizabeth, Durban, Cape Town and also in Zimbabwe, at Harare and Bulawayo.

That same evening, more than 1,000 guests—including local dignitaries and tribal representatives—packed the state-of-the-art grand Auditorium and spilled out to overflow spaces for a spectacular concert. Some of South Africa’s top musical talent took the stage and brought the house down with a spine-tingling performance of songs from the commemorative album Africa: The Winds of Change. The repertoire included songs written and composed by L. Ron Hubbard as a tribute to Africa’s indomitable spirit. And that spirit was on full display as the performers and the audience were moved—literally and figuratively—by the rhythm and the message of the music.

JANUARY 3: A SALUTE TO SOUTH AFRICAN SCIENTOLOGISTS

South African stalwarts of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) took centre stage for the first-ever African IAS Patrons Ball. The room was transformed to golden glory with shimmering backdrops and protea-filled floral arrangements for the black-tie gala. Mr. Miscavige honoured over 100 IAS members for supporting the continent’s massive humanitarian outreach, and acknowledged their drive and dedication in helping to make this Grand Opening celebration a success. The pride was palpable as these dedicated Scientologists accepted their awards. After a sumptuous dinner, musical stars rocked the room. Caribbean sensation Michele Henderson and Harlem’s hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh set the beat for the rest of the evening as the Patrons got down on the dance floor and partied the night away.

JANUARY 4: THE NEW YEAR SHINES BRIGHT FOR GAUTENG PROVINCE

The festivities rolled on as parishioners from the trio of Churches in the Gauteng Province filled the Castle’s Auditorium for a presentation of the International New Year’s Celebration. To the surprise and delight of the crowd, Mr. Miscavige took the Auditorium stage, treating the audience to an informal recap of the week’s events. They were on their feet cheering wildly, knowing that this Grand Opening has not only opened the doors to spiritual freedom for Scientologists, but promises hope and help for all of Africa.

JANUARY 5: STANDING UP FOR AFRICA

The Africa Humanitarian Crusade Seminar, attended by hundreds, spotlighted the Church’s community outreach programmes. Attendees were enlightened and inspired by a series of in-depth briefings outlining the nuts and bolts of some of the world’s most far-reaching social salvage initiatives. The collective focus shined on Africa, putting into place plans to address the continent’s many social problems, offering hope to help reach its unlimited potential.

JANUARY 6: A SUNDAY SERVICE UNITES

The weeklong celebration culminated with the Church’s very first Sunday Service, which got off to a joyous start with the sound of an a cappella choir from Soweto. The moving service, which included an ordination ceremony, was a testament to L. Ron Hubbard’s vision for the continent, bringing together African royalty, community leaders, local Gauteng residents and the congregation of Scientologists. It was a fitting close to an historic week, filled with the spirit of hope and the promise of a brighter future.

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The dedication of the Advanced Organisation and Saint Hill for Africa underscores what is a massive period of epic expansion for the religion in just the past 15 years. Under Mr. Miscavige’s leadership, the Church of Scientology has opened the doors of 70 new Churches of Scientology across six continents. Recent openings have taken place in Salt Lake City, Utah; Silicon Valley, California; Perth, Western Australia; Orlando, Florida; Stuttgart, Germany; and Detroit, Michigan.

More Church openings are planned in the coming year in global cities of North America and Europe.