Six men believe eMbalenhle needs blessings from the ancestors

eMBALENHLE – A group of six men cleaned the old cemetery in eMbalenhle.

This came after the funeral of Maphala Gulube in June during which they noticed with concern the appalling state of the cemetery.

The grass was long and tombstones were vandalised.

They said if the ancestors are neglected and not recognised in the African culture, it always results in many misfortunes.

Messrs Makhosonke Prince Mahlangu, Gijimani Masondo, Nhlanhla Mofokeng, Steven Nkosi, Obet Phukushe and Leleka Nkosi believe that cleaning the cemetery will bring blessings and luck.

“It is obvious that eMbalenhle is cursed or has bad luck, because nothing is working out here.

“A dark cloud is hanging over us.

“People are killed daily and politicians are corrupt and are eating money at the expense of the poor.

“The township is stinking due to sewage overflowing in almost every street.

“Our ancestors have turned their backs on us and we need their intervention,” said Mr Masondo.

He had a vision a while ago that the gravesite should always be clean to make the ancestors happy.

The men said the cemetery should be a heritage site because most of the founders of the eMbalenhle township are buried there.

“Our heroes, heroines and icons are buried in this cemetery.

“We want this cemetery to be respected and made a tourism site.

“Some cemeteries are as old as 1964, like the one in Driefontein, but are neglected.

“Icons such as Mr Thomas Nhlabathi, Rev Gulube, Ms Maphala Gulube, Rev Zulu, even the legendary teacher who taught most prominent people, Mr Zulu, is buried here.

“Some of the streets and schools are named after these local icons, but the place they are buried in is a mess.

Mr Mahlangu said another reason for the clean-up campaign was to keep themselves busy because they are unemployed.

He said it is a way of giving back to the community and though they do not have much, they have their hands.

He chose to volunteer and do something that will add meaning to the lives of others.

“There are no jobs and we are not given tenders.

“Even here we use the little we have to buy the cleaning material.”

They called on good Samaritans to donate cleaning material so they could continue to clean the cemetery.

Residents staying near the cemetery commended the good gesture and urged the community to support them.

“The cemetery was vandalised a long time ago and has become a favourite spot for Nyaope addicts.

“They often come here to steal the steel from the tombs.

“The municipality must employ security guards at the cemetery.”