PHALABORWA – Phalaborwa Liberation Stalwarts (PLS), together with its partners, cleaned up the old Namakgale grave site, which had become overgrown and inaccessible to the community.

Why the clean-up matters

Speaking to the Herald, the organisation’s secretary, Sammy Modiselle, said the initiative aimed to restore pride and dignity to the deceased and provide comfort to their families.

“The last grave was erected here in 1989, and the site had been neglected and turned into a dumping ground. When we dump litter at a graveyard, we lose part of our heritage. We do not want to lose our heritage, and seeing that this is Heritage Month, this is our contribution to preserving it,” said Modiselle.

READ MORE: Volunteers restore pride to Namakgale cemetery

A group with roots in the struggle

The organisation is a non-profit and non-partisan group focused on restoring Phalaborwa to its former glory. Its members, who were part of the liberation movement during the 1980s and 1990s, say they want to see the area restored and ultimately become one of the cleanest towns in the country.

“This was the start of our movement, and there is still much more we want to do in the area. We are also calling for collaboration with people who share the same interests,” Modiselle said.

Backing from partners

Modiselle thanked the seven sponsors who supported the initiative, including those who donated equipment such as TLBs and other tools.