Still grave concern for Umhlanga Cemetery access
The City has taken action by clearing a path to the graveyard however, the road to get to the cemetery is in a state of disrepair and is inaccessible for residents who don't own 4x4s.
DURBAN North resident, Kim Parkes, said there is still a long way to go before residents can easily access and pay their respects to their loved ones at the Umhlanga Cemetery.
Last month, Northglen News met with Parkes who voiced his anguish on not being able to visit his father’s gravesite for more than two years due to the road and graveyard being inaccessible.
Since the publication, the City has taken action by clearing a path to the graveyard and cutting back the grass which had grown over some of the tombstones, however, the road to get to the cemetery is in a state of disrepair and is inaccessible for residents who don’t own 4x4s.
Parkes said an added complication was the closure of the dirt road which led to Blackburn Village from uMhlanga Ridge. While there is a road that leads to the graveyard from Sibaya, large portions of the dirt road have been washed away and in many instances, large potholes have formed making the path to the cemetery treacherous.
“I am surprised the City has taken action despite years of not being able to access my father’s grave but at the same time a road needs to be formalised to allow residents to pay their respects and visit their loved ones who have passed on. When I learnt of the road being bulldozed to the graveyard it was an extremely emotional day seeing my father’s grave which I hadn’t seen in four or five years,” he said.
The last burial at the cemetery was in 2011 and the cemetery is a cross section of pauper’s graves and marked tombstones.
“A good friend of mine is also buried at the cemetery and I had promised his wife, who now lives in the UK, that I would look after his grave. Since the road has been opened I’ve cleared away the grass over his tombstone and sent photos to his wife which she was appreciative for. I’m thankful that I’m able to visit my father more often but I also acknowledge that the road is inaccessible to anyone without a four wheel drive vehicle. Even with a 4×4 as I have, the road is extremely difficult to navigate,” he said.
Parkes said a site inspection was due to take place in a few weeks time with members of the municipality which he hoped to be part of.
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