Antara News·Indonesia·Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 05:36 AM

Indonesia plans Sheikh Yusuf museum in South Africa from 2027

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Feri Purnama, Katriana

Garut (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Culture Ministry plans to develop a museum or cultural center dedicated to Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari in Cape Town, South Africa, with construction expected to begin in 2027.

Wawan Yogaswara, the ministry's Director of Cultural Promotion, said in Cipanas, West Java, on Saturday that licensing complexities could limit work this year to completing the museum's design, with construction planned for next year.

Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassari, a prominent figure from Makassar, South Sulawesi, is recognized as a hero in both Indonesia and South Africa. His grave and historical relics are in South Africa.

The Indonesian government plans to build the museum in Cape Town, where Sheikh Yusuf spent his final years after being exiled by the Dutch colonial government.

Yogaswara said the project originated from a request by members of the public and Sheikh Yusuf's descendants to former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his visit to South Africa.

Yudhoyono agreed to the proposal, prompting the government to begin planning, although funding was not immediately available. The project gained renewed momentum after Indonesia's Culture Minister visited Cape Town.

The South African Culture Minister subsequently asked Indonesia to follow up on the planned museum, Yogaswara said.

The Culture Ministry then developed the project by adapting the architecture of the Gowa Kingdom to suit South Africa's tropical environmental conditions.

The government has allocated Rp62 billion, or about US$3.52 million, for the project. Licensing is expected to be completed soon, allowing construction to begin in 2027.

Yogaswara said the government hopes construction can begin next year, subject to completion of the licensing process.

He said the museum would help preserve ties between Indonesia and South Africa while introducing cultural values from South Sulawesi and Indonesia more broadly.

The museum could eventually be developed into an Indonesian cultural center serving as a hub for cultural activities, Yogaswara said.

Sheikh Yusuf, who was born in Makassar, brought Islamic teachings and Sufism abroad while also serving as a patriot and intellectual who promoted his cultural values.

The Dutch colonial government exiled Sheikh Yusuf to Sri Lanka because it considered his influence among young people a threat. He was later transferred to Cape Town, South Africa.

During his time in South Africa, Sheikh Yusuf spread Islamic teachings and contributed to the growth of Islam among local communities, Yogaswara said.

He left a significant body of teachings and influenced the development of Islam in South Africa. A village there is also named Macassar after his homeland, Yogaswara said.

Sheikh Yusuf remains a role model in South Africa, where the annual Kramat Festival is held to honor his legacy. Many of his surviving legacies are manuscripts, while his grave is also there, Yogaswara said.

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