Volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Braamfontein Cemetery this Mandela Day, helping clear storm debris from a section of the cemetery that was severely affected by the destructive storms that swept through in February.

The initiative was organised by the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries, who traditionally host a Mandela Day clean-up where residents can spend their 67 minutes giving back to the community. This year, however, the organisation decided to combine the annual event with a storm recovery effort. “Normally we hold our Mandela Day clean-up at Brixton Cemetery,” said Antoinette Morgan from the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries. “But this area was badly affected by the February storm, so we decided to bring volunteers here and help clear the smaller debris while also assessing any damage to graves.”

Read more: Braamfontein Cemetery clean-up drags on months after devastating storm

According to Morgan, the storm left the area almost inaccessible. “Large trees and branches came down right across this section of the cemetery. When we visited afterwards, we were literally climbing over fallen trees and branches just to move through the area,” she said.

Fortunately, despite the scale of the storm damage, only about four graves have been identified as damaged so far. City Parks had already removed the largest fallen trees and branches using heavy equipment, allowing volunteers to focus on the remaining debris.

Also read: Storm-hit Braamfontein Cemetery still cluttered as clean-up teams push toward May deadline

The collected garden rubble is being placed in two unused prop graves that were originally dug for a movie set and never filled in. Morgan said the material will be left to decompose naturally and act as a compost pit.

Volunteers were also given the option of cleaning headstones, which Morgan said many people find surprisingly calming.
She encouraged residents not to be intimidated by the idea of volunteering in a cemetery. “It’s not as morbid as it sounds,” she said. “It’s actually a lot of fun. People learn about the history of the cemetery, and being part of a group makes them feel much more comfortable.”

For those unable to volunteer, the organisation is also appealing for donations to help fund grave markers for historically significant unmarked graves and future restoration work. “Every contribution helps us preserve these important heritage spaces for future generations,” Morgan said.

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