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Cape Town South Africa Temple

Announced
4 April 2021
Groundbreaking
25 October 2025
A rendering of the Cape Town South Africa Temple.
A rendering of the Cape Town South Africa Temple.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The location of the Cape Town South Africa Temple site.
The location of the Cape Town South Africa Temple site.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Cape Town South Africa Temple in the city of Cape Town.
The Cape Town South Africa Temple in the city of Cape Town.Screenshot from Google Maps
The location of the Cape Town South Africa Temple in relation to the rest of the country.
The location of the Cape Town South Africa Temple in relation to the rest of the country.Screenshot from Google Maps

Groundbreaking of the Cape Town South Africa Temple

Ground was broken for the Cape Town South Africa Temple on Oct. 25, 2025, with Elder Carlos A. Godoy — a General Authority Seventy and Africa South Area president — presiding. Bordering the area of symbolic turning of the soil were placed white stones decorated with the names of Primary children from the Bellville South Africa and Cape Town South Africa stakes. They were placed to symbolize the faith of future generations setting the foundation of the house of the Lord.

In his prayer dedicating the site and construction process, Elder Godoy expressed his love and gratitude for friends and neighbors in the community. “Please bless them with peace and prosperity,” he prayed. “Allow this holy house to be a light upon the hill and a place of peace, reverence and inspiration for all who come near. May everyone feel Thy Spirit when they are close to this sacred place.”

Timeline of the Cape Town South Africa Temple

April
04
2021
Announced
President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple for Cape Town, South Africa, on April 4, 2021, during April 2021 general conference. This announcement came during the last talk of the Sunday afternoon session and was announced with 19 other temples.
October
25
2025
Groundbreaking
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Cape Town South Africa Temple on Oct. 25, 2025. Elder Carlos A. Godoy, president of the Africa South Area, presided over the ceremony.

The Cape Town South Africa Temple was announced April 4, 2021, by President Russell M. Nelson. Ground was broken for the temple on Oct. 25, 2025, with Elder Carlos A. Godoy presiding.

Architecture and Design of the Cape Town South Africa Temple

According to plans and exterior renderings, the Cape Town temple will be a single-story building of approximately 9,500 square feet. Around the temple’s white exterior will be rectangular windows with brown frames and an arched entryway in front of the temple’s main doors. On top of the structure will be a multilevel tower with four rectangular windows and four smaller, arched windows around the tower’s four sides.

The edifice will stand on a site of 3.79 acres, with multicolored trees and bushes filling the grounds. A meetinghouse and arrival center will also be built near the temple.

Additional Facts

Fact #1
This will be the third Latter-day Saint temple in South Africa and the first in the western half of the country.
Fact #2
When this house of the Lord was announced, South Africa had approximately 69,000 Latter-day Saints among 195 congregations.
Fact #3
The closest temple to Cape Town at the time of its announcement was the Johannesburg South Africa Temple, a distance of approximately 780 miles away.
Fact #4
Once dedicated, the Cape Town South Africa Temple will be the southernmost Latter-day Saint temple on the continent of Africa.
Fact #5
The first two branches in Africa were organized within 6 miles of Cape Town.
Fact #6
Ground was broken for the Cape Town temple a week after the groundbreaking of another Africa house of the Lord, the Kumasi Ghana Temple.
Fact #7
On Oct. 24, the day before the Cape Town temple's groundbreaking, the Church announced 16 new missions would be created in Africa, including one for East London, South Africa. These were among 55 mission creations that were announced to go into effect July 1, 2026, around the world.

Quick Facts

Announced
4 April 2021
Groundbreaking
25 October 2025
GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
Elder Carlos A. Godoy
Location

3 Liesbeek Ave.
Observatory, Cape Town
7925
South Africa

Appointments
View schedule and book online

Additional Facts

Fact #1
This will be the third Latter-day Saint temple in South Africa and the first in the western half of the country.
Fact #2
When this house of the Lord was announced, South Africa had approximately 69,000 Latter-day Saints among 195 congregations.
Fact #3
The closest temple to Cape Town at the time of its announcement was the Johannesburg South Africa Temple, a distance of approximately 780 miles away.
Fact #4
Once dedicated, the Cape Town South Africa Temple will be the southernmost Latter-day Saint temple on the continent of Africa.
Fact #5
The first two branches in Africa were organized within 6 miles of Cape Town.
Fact #6
Ground was broken for the Cape Town temple a week after the groundbreaking of another Africa house of the Lord, the Kumasi Ghana Temple.
Fact #7
On Oct. 24, the day before the Cape Town temple's groundbreaking, the Church announced 16 new missions would be created in Africa, including one for East London, South Africa. These were among 55 mission creations that were announced to go into effect July 1, 2026, around the world.