The young no longer respect the dead and often forget about their loved ones.
When they turn their backs on township graveyards and abandon their relatives, a local man rolls up his sleeves to prevent Tembisa graves from sinking.
Mr Wonder Mbuso Mabaso said tombstones often sink into swampy soil due to heavy rains.
Mr Mabaso said he was disgusted by the sight of the tombs “drowning” in full view of mourners who visit the cemetery every weekend to lay their loved ones to rest.
“Many families bury their family members and that is the last time one will ever see them visiting the cemetery. Graves sink here and that makes me feel bad. Families don’t look after their graves,” said Mr Mabaso.
The innovative man came up with a way of permanently avoiding sinking graves.
Mr Mabaso saw a gap for business in fixing the abandoned graves and restoring the dignity of the dead.
He formed a business called Abalale Ngoxolo (Let them Rest In Peace) Burial Slabs .
Mr Mabaso builds concrete slabs by pouring mixed cement into a specially designed steel frame.
The formed slabs are then left there to dry. These prevent graves from sinking.
“The first time I pitched my business idea to a potential client, I was understood and they gave me an opportunity. People saw me do my first job and from there I got more customers,” he said.
Asked how he came up with the idea he said he was a taxi driver and would transport mourners to the cemetery every weekend.
“My concern about the sinking graves got me thinking deeply about a way to suspend the heavy ebbing soil. At first I thought about using wood but my worry was that wood would easily decompose and fall into the grave,” he said.
The entrepreneur opted to use concrete to build durable slabs.
He said working in the funeral industry has not been an easy exercise because funeral parlours have not been useful in publicising his business.
“My product is quality. I have gone to check the graves I worked on and seen that after five years all the graves are still intact,” said Mr Mabaso.
He said he wishes to see the business grow and cater for other townships as well.
“Currently I work with four people but I want to employ more one day and find a bigger space to work in. Unemployed people must not just sit and fold their arms. Come up with ideas and do not shy away from testing them.”
For those who want to use the burial slabs to prevent graves from sinking after they lay their loved ones to rest,
call Abalale Ngoxolo Burial Slabs owner Mr Wonder Mabaso on 073 425 1429.