In the build-up to the United Nations’ International Day of Yoga (IDY) on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the Durban Amphitheatre, the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, in association with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, recently hosted a landmark event uniting local communities and park leadership to promote global peace, holistic wellness, and environmental conservation through the practice of yoga.
Held within the iconic World Heritage Site, the event emphasised the Sivananda World Peace Foundation’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the natural environment by fostering a spirit of oneness with nature.
Organiser Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu said the gathering highlighted the vital connection between human wellness and ecological preservation.
“We believe that protecting our natural heritage requires a shift in consciousness. Through yoga, we connect deeply with ourselves and the earth. Our partnership with iSimangaliso Wetland Park reinforces our commitment to environmental sustainability, showing that when we heal ourselves, we heal our environment.”
He said the event was well-attended by members of neighbouring local communities, alongside the executive leadership team from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
“Together, participants engaged in yoga sessions and wellness discussions designed to inspire a collective responsibility toward protecting South Africa’s rich biodiversity,” he said, adding that by practising yoga in harmony with the environment, attendees experienced firsthand how inner peace can translate into outer care for our planet.
Participants at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park event embrace nature through yoga, fostering a deep connection between personal wellness and ecological preservation.
According to Ramlutchman, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Executive expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that community-inclusive wellness programmes strengthen local stewardship of the world heritage site, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Ramlutchman, a member of the Zulu Royal Household and the founding president of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, has been the driving force behind the national observance for twelve consecutive years.
It is anticipated that the 12th annual celebration later this month will have a turnout of between 4,000 and 5,000 participants, which its host, Ramlutchman, said is more vital than ever for promoting social cohesion.
The 2026 celebration, coinciding with the winter solstice, promises a unique atmosphere focused on the sun’s energy.
The high-profile event will showcase South Africa’s cultural diversity through a programme featuring Zulu and Indian dancers.
Dignitaries from the Zulu Royal Household are expected to attend alongside political leaders, including KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and MEC Mntomuhle Khawula. Ramlutchman emphasised that these performances symbolise the unification of all nations.
The event has received significant endorsements from prominent figures, including AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and His Holiness Inkosi Mduduzi “uNyazilwezulu” Shembe of the Nazareth Baptist Church. Additionally, Premier Ntuli is set to join the proceedings, marking his third consecutive year of participation.
karen.singh@inl.co.za
Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu with Thandi Shabalala (left), Mbalenhle Ngcamu, and Bongi Mbatha.
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