Chronological History Of The Lebanese Maronite Mission In South Africa
The history of the Lebanese Community goes back to the late 19th century, when the first immigrants arrived in Johannesburg, the biggest city in the Transvaal. They came from Sebhel, Becharre, Deir el-Ahmar, Hadath el-Joube, Mezyara, Maghdouche and other places. The majority of the Lebanese immigrants were Maronite and were concerned about keeping their Maronite faith alive in a new country, they wrote to the Maronite Patriarch in Lebanon, insisting on a Maronite Priest to come to South Africa to celebrate the Maronite Liturgy and to keep the Lebanese tradition and heritage.
