Old Skom Cemetery becomes heritage site

The Heidelberg Heritage Association unveiled its latest blue plaque on April 19. The recipient is the Old Skom Cemetery in Heidelberg.

This blue plaque for heritage is number 76 in the series of plaques in Heidelberg.

The Old Skom Cemetery in the Heidelberg Industrial area was divided into two sections – Espantsha and Emagogogoweni. The cemetery serviced the location at the time.

It is estimated that the cemetery opened just after the Second Anglo-Boer War.

Espantsha Cemetery to the west serviced the Indian, coloured and Chinese communities, and the Emagogoweni Cemetery serviced the African community.

The two cemeteries are opposite each other.

At the time, the area had 19 informal churches. Some religious buildings, mainly Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, were also used as schools for learners from the location, Driemanskap, Emmasdal and the surrounding areas.

The population at the time was about 9 000 residents, and the community members loved each other. They loved soccer, tennis, music and attending the cinema.

Some buildings from that time still exist in the Rensburg area.

Many people were self-employed, most repairing watches and shoes or selling wood.

Whenever a funeral procession passed through the area, the people would stop their daily tasks and bow their heads.

Because the authorities were relentless and punished the community members severely, at the time, they conducted politics underground.

The Group Areas Act meant the residents were relocated to Ratanda in 1959.

Reports indicate that the locals were unhappy with the relocation, but Justus Tshungu was said to be the peacemaker and convinced them to move.

Tshungu was appointed secretary of the Advisory Committee to facilitate the move. Some community members were reportedly unhappy with his involvement and believed he sided with the government.

Ratanda celebrated its centenary in 2018.

Reference: Heidelberg Heritage Association; Heidelberg Heritage Museum.