Lebanese people in South Africa

In addition, an increasing number of Lebanese students seeking education and career opportunities opted for the country in light of its relatively reputable institutions across the Middle East.

The history of the Lebanese community goes back to the late 19th century, when the first immigrants arrived in Johannesburg, the biggest city in the Transvaal (province) coming from Sebhel, Mesyara, Becharre, Hadath El-Joube, Maghdoushe and other places.

The white status of the Lebanese community was first affirmed in 1914, when Moses Gandur, a Maronite from Syria, sued the South African government, as he was initially denied the right to purchase land in Johannesburg due to being classified as non-white.

Gandur's lawyers successfully argued that the Lebanese and Syrians originated from the Canaan, the birthplace of Christianity and Judaism, and that the laws didn't target Jews, who were also part of the Semitic race.

[4] From this point on, Lebanese people in South Africa were classified as white, and this status was maintained after the Population Registration Act came into force in 1950, although immigration from Lebanon and Syria was restricted.