Purchased By Church of Scientology
In March 2008, the castle was purchased by the Church of Scientology for an undisclosed amount. Paul Sondergaard, National Director of the Church of Scientology's Public Affairs Office, stated that the grounds will serve as a Scientology retreat: "We were looking for a building big enough for these purposes, that had some character and was out of the city rush". In a Scientology press release, Sondergaard also said that Scientologists would conduct advanced spiritual training at the castle: "For all African Scientologists, this is a dream finally come true ... It means a lot to the future expansion of the Church in Africa."
The purchase was part of an expansion into South Africa by the Church of Scientology, which purchased buildings in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Pretoria around the same time. The Castle Kyalami is the Church of Scientology's 66th global acquisition to their international property holdings. According to Scopical, "It is believed that the new property will be used as a central base for the organisation's expansion in Africa."
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