His name may not be as widely recognized as other historical figures often featured in school textbooks. Yet in Cape Town, South Africa, a cleric from Makassar is remembered as the founder of the first Muslim community and as an inspiration to one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, Nelson Mandela.
He is Syekh Yusuf Al-Makassari. Born in Gowa, Makassar, on July 3, 1626, he was originally named Muhammad Yusuf. His full name later became Syekh Yusuf Abul Mahasin Tajul Khalwati Al-Makasari Al-Bantani—a series of titles that reflect the long journey of a man who never stopped moving.
A Journey in Search of Knowledge
Syekh Yusuf spent his early years studying under various teachers. He first learned the Qur’an from Daeng ri Tamassang, then continued his studies at the Bontoala Islamic boarding school, where he deepened his understanding of Arabic grammar (nahwu and sharaf), logic (mantiq), and rhetoric (balaghah).
His journey later took him to the Cikoang pesantren, where he met Syekh Jalaluddin Aidid, who opened the path for him to travel to Mecca.
On September 22, 1644, Syekh Yusuf set out by passenger ship. The journey took years due to numerous stopovers—Banten, Aceh, Yemen, Mecca, Medina, the Levant, and Turkey.
In Aceh, he studied under Syekh Muhammad Jailani, a leader of the Qadiriyya order, for five full years. In Mecca, he eventually taught students from the Malay-Indonesian archipelago, particularly Bugis pilgrims.
A stop in Banten marked another pivotal moment: it was there that he first met Abdul Fattah, the son of the Sultan of Banten, who would later be known as Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. That friendship would significantly shape the course of his life.
Exiled After War in Banten
Upon returning to Indonesia, Syekh Yusuf settled in Banten at the request of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. There, he not only taught Islamic teachings but also spread anti-colonial values as a form of resistance against Dutch rule.
His greatest trial came when conflict broke out between Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa and his own son, Sultan Haji, who had been influenced by the Dutch. Syekh Yusuf openly sided with Sultan Ageng and became directly involved in the war.
The struggle ended with his capture on December 14, 1683. He was imprisoned in Batavia for a year before being exiled to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1684, along with his followers.
Even in Sri Lanka, Syekh Yusuf did not remain idle. He continued to spread Islamic teachings, completed his work Kafiyyat al-Tasawwuf, and maintained communication networks of resistance through passing pilgrims.
However, his activities were discovered by the Dutch. As a result, in 1693, he was exiled once again—this time to a place even farther away: South Africa.
The Birth of Cape Town Muslims
On April 2, 1694, Syekh Yusuf arrived in Cape Town. He did not come as a free man, yet he was received well by the local governor—an intriguing irony for a political prisoner. It was here that the most defining chapter of his life began.
Together with Imam Abdullah Ibnu Kudi Abdus Salam and his followers, Syekh Yusuf taught Islamic and humanitarian values to the local population—mostly laborers and prisoners of war brought by the Dutch to build their colonial settlement. These teachings became the foundation for the first Muslim community in South Africa.
He carried out this role for six years, until he passed away in Cape Town on May 23, 1699, at the age of 72. At the request of Sultan Abdul Jalil, his remains were later returned to Indonesia and laid to rest in Lakiung, Makassar, in 1705.
“One of Africa’s Greatest Sons”: A Legacy Beyond Continents
More than two centuries after his death, Syekh Yusuf’s name resurfaced through one of the most influential figures in modern history, Nelson Mandela. The former President of South Africa and an icon of the anti-apartheid struggle openly acknowledged Syekh Yusuf as a source of inspiration in upholding the values of freedom and equality.
Mandela even bestowed upon him a title: “One of Africa’s greatest sons.” For Mandela, Syekh Yusuf represented a powerful example that resistance against oppression can be carried out through education, faith, and unwavering conviction—even from exile.
This recognition was not merely symbolic. South Africa officially honored Syekh Yusuf as a national hero in 2009. Indonesia had granted him the title of National Hero earlier, in 1995, through President Soeharto.
Now, 400 years after his birth, his name is once again gaining global recognition. At the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in 2025, Indonesia’s proposal to include the 400th anniversary of Syekh Yusuf Al-Makassari’s birth in the UNESCO Anniversary program was officially approved and will be commemorated in 2026.
The Indonesian government is also preparing to nominate eight of Syekh Yusuf’s works for inclusion in UNESCO’s Memory of the World program. Another initiative currently underway is the construction of the Syekh Yusuf Museum in Cape Town, South Africa—located directly across from his burial site.
The museum’s architecture is planned to blend Makassarese and African cultural elements, symbolizing the life journey of a scholar who never belonged to just one place.
