The first gathering of Sai Baba of Puttaparthi devotees was initiated by the Harry Lalla family of Lenasia in the old Transvaal. Bhajans started in the upper level of the double storey family home at HummingBird Ave, Lenasia in the year 1970. Brother Lalla went to the extent of having a glass design of the 'Stupa' made as part of the decor to this upper level satsang room in his house. Incidently, today, ie. 37 years later,  this mural is still in place. Brother Lalla went on to host Bhajans and other Sai activities from this venue.

Sadly, brother Lalla’s devotion to Sai baba ended when, a few years later, his brother passed away through mysterious circumstances.  He blamed Sai Baba for not being of assistance and reacted by ceasing all Sai activities at his home.  Devotees were forced to seek another venue. Brother Krish Ramlugan, who had just joined Brother Lalla’s group a few months before his decision to close, offered his home in Diamante Street, Lenasia, as a temporary venue to continue with Satsang. Subsequently, the group moved to a neutral venue viz. The Lenasia Hotel.  Desperate to proceed to a  Sathwic venue, the congregation was offered the use of the Luxmi Narayan Temple in Lenasia Ext1 where they continued their Spiritual, Seva and Education activities. During their quest to remain Sai devotees, the group, calling themselves the Lenasia Sai Centre moved to other premises which included Brother Kershan’s home in Mosquito Valley, the Subramanium Temple, the Rameshwar Mandir and the Vishnu Temple . Throughout their moves to the different venues, they had to conform to the requirements of those organisations who did not openly allow the permanent display of Sai Baba’s photographs. They also had to set up and remove their alters and sound equipment immediately after their satsangs. 

In 1973, the centre office bearers represented South Africa at the 1st World Conference in Prashanti Nilayam. Later, they went on to represent South Africa  at the Africa/Mauritius conference.

In 1975, brother Billy Reddy started a centre in Laudium, Pretoria. In the same year the late brother Robert Pillay started a centre in Benoni. Brother Segal Cooppsamy had started the centre in Springs (EastRand). The current Springs centre was the personal property of brother Segal.

In 1976, the phenomenon of the 'Roti' and 'Black Tea' combination mysteriously replicating interested many people throughout the country.  Sai Centres in the Transvaal grew significantly due to this. Of significance is the Lenasia Sai Centre’s  contribution to draw up the Charter or Constitution for the South African operation of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation. The late Mr MC Reddy and Dr L Singh were closely associated with this requirement.

Subsequently, in 1980, the Lenasia Sai Centre split to form another centre,  The Sri Sathya Sai Centre of Lenasia South which held satsang in Flamingo St, Lenasia (South of Lenasia). Mr Everett Jackson (a former Catholic) was the chairperson of this centre. At this juncture,  Dr Cyril Samuels had joined the the newly formed centre and was later instrumental in  building the Shirdhi Sai Centre in Ext 11, Lenasia.

With these centre’s actively operating in strategic areas, the organisation grew to what it is today.