The Bhakti Yoga Society programs at University of Johannesburg (UJ) and University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) represent one of the strongest university preaching models currently operating in South Africa.

Attendance

Between 150 and 450 students weekly, depending on the academic calendar

Program Components

• Kirtan and guided discussion
• Study of Science of Self-Realization
• Cooking demonstrations and prasadam distribution
• Personal mentoring and follow-up

Recognition

Senior Vaishnavas, including Jayadvaita Swami and Keshava Swami, expressed deep appreciation for the depth, seriousness, and atmosphere of these programs.

Strategic Significance

Students are beginning to carry Krishna consciousness back to
their homes and communities, extending the reach far beyond
campus.

Testimonails during the visit from S.B. Keshava Swami

When Keshava Swami visited the Bhakti Yoga Society program at the University of Johannesburg, he sat quietly at the back of the room as the students gathered. There was no sense of novelty or performance. The students were attentive, reflective, and fully present. They listened deeply, asked thoughtful questions, and responded naturally to the chanting and discussion. Later, Keshava swami shared something striking. Having taught and interacted with university audiences around the world, he said that this program stood out to him. There was a readiness he rarely encountered. It felt as though the students were not just curious or experimenting, but genuinely prepared to receive a full and meaningful engagement with Krishna consciousness and bhakti yoga. What moved him most was not the size of the gathering, but the quality of the atmosphere. The students were open, serious, and searching. It felt less like an introduction and more like a continuation of a journey they were already on.