A cemetery is meant to be a place of peace and tranquility; the place where the remains of loved ones are buried. But how do you pay your respects to a loved one when the cemetery is overgrown and unsafe to visit?
This is the question asked by Nici King, a Gordon’s Bay resident who frequently visits Goedehoop Cemetery in Aerodrome Road, Strand, to visit the burial site of her loved one. Over the last few months, she has noticed the increased neglect of the cemetery.
“A place that should and used to be a pleasure to visit loved ones who passed, is no longer,” King alleged.
“The grass that once was is now weeds and the pathways are overgrown with weeds. The weeds have spread to our loved ones graves and are all around the property. The upkeep is non-existent,” said King.
Her further frustrations sprout from the fact that she now feels unsafe to visit the cemetery as a result of the apparent current derelict state of the facility.
“I spoke to a worker busy laying stones on a grave at the cemetery, when he mentioned that it is out of his hands. He advised that I contact the City of Cape Town.”
She contacted the municipality and informed by an official of the Parks and Recreation Department that they are awaiting directions from the council’s Procurement Department and their hands are tied.
“I also sent an email to the City, but I have not received any feedback as yet. Should we just accept that Goedehoop Cemetery is in such a bad state,” King asked.
However, she received a response from the City recently, and was informed the bush and weed clearing status at Goedehoop Cemetery has been scheduled to be assigned.
Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Commitee member for Community Services and Health, confirmed the Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for cleaning and the maintenance of the public cemetery.
“Regular maintenance such as bin cleaning takes place weekly. However, overall intensive maintenance has not been implemented since Monday 1 August due to a delay in the mowing tender.
“The cemetery has been placed on the priority list and will be attended to once all supply chain processes have been finalised,” explained Van der Ross, who added that the cemetery is currently over capacitated.
“Only second burials can take place at this cemetery. Residents are encouraged to make use of other City cemeteries including Rusthof Cemetery in Strand which is in close proximity,” Van der Ross suggested.
