Greeks in South Africa

Greek South Africans are South Africans of Greek ancestry from Greece and Cyprus.

Greek immigration to South Africa (at its highest in the 1960s, with 10,790 immigrants) peaked in 1965 (Damanakis 2003). It gradually began to decline in the 1970s, and after 1994 many Greeks returned to Greece to retire, or because they harboured fears about the changing political situation in South Africa. The community has since decreased from an estimated 120,000 to 40,000.

Religion There are multiple Greek Orthodox Churches in South Africa. Some of these include:

Cathedral of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Johannesburg Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St George in Cape Town Agia Barbara Chapel in Skeerpoort Greek Orthodox Church in Pretoria St Athanasios Church in Benoni Holy Church of St Seraphim of Sarof in Boksburg Greek Orthodox Church of St Bazil in Springs St John's Greek Orthodox Church in Germiston Saheti Church in Germiston Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary of Pantanassa in Melrose Estate Greek Orthodox Church in Alberton Greek Orthodox Church in Rondebosch Greek Orthodox Church of Archangels in George Orthodox Church of Saint Mary of Egypt in Robertson

Notable people George Bizos, human rights lawyer Demetri Catrakilis, professional rugby union player Peter Karmis, professional golfer Stanley Christodoulou, international boxing judge and referee Ivan Gazidis, business executive and former footballer George Koumantarakis, former football player Nic Pothas, former professional cricketer Anastasia Tsichlas, football executive Dimitri Tsafendas, political militant and assassin John Costa (b. 1868 – d. 1932), also known as Ioannis Papakostas, revolutionary and veteran Xen Balaskas (b. 1910 – d. 1994), cricketer Stelio Savante, actor, producer and screenwriter Penny Siopis, artist Angelique Rockas, actress, producer and activist Panagiotis Retsos, footballer John Kongos, musician Costa Titch (b. 1995 – d. 2023), rapper

Greeks in South Africa

Bron en licentie