No respect for loved ones in Standeron

Some will call it irreverence and others sacrilege, but cemeteries in Standerton are way beyond maintenance standards.

Exceptions are the Indian community’s graves near the Cosmos Retirement Village, which are testament to respect for their loved ones who passed away, as well as other graves in pristine condition.

The civic rights organisation, AfriForum, has cleaned up the cemetery on more than one occasion.

They were active in three instances, including a Saturday, putting their weight behind community concerns.

Lekwa Clean Up Crew also makes good on their promise to clean up cemeteries after requests from the community.

A telephone call from a former resident a while ago about conditions of cemeteries, had to be answered in the negative.

An off-hand remark the past week about nyaope boys active near Vaalrivierskool in Walter Sisulu Drive, also piqued interest.

The Standerton Advertiser decided to investigate on Wednesday, September 14 and with foreboding began near the old age home.

It was quite obvious that the community has taken it upon themselves to see to it that graves are maintained at certain areas.

Locals who moved away sometimes need to visit graveyards for symbolic and emotional reasons.

This practice dates back many years and in the ancient world, graves were usually marked by a stone bearing the person’s likeness or a stone.

Churches nowadays bury ashes of their congregants in a suitable way, should the family not opt for a funeral procession.

Remembrance walls have become the norm at certain denominations.
It is common knowledge that graves of ancestors speak volumes about the different cultural values.

Finding a loved one’s grave at the next stop in the busy Walter Sisulu Drive, proved that unsavoury elements could be lurking there.

The grass and weeds flourish, especially towards the school’s entrance.

An angel put on a headstone, could be missing and taking flowers to graves, loses its significance.

As previously reported, Lekwa Municipality has to finalise seasonal programmes for the department of parks and gardens.

When contacted the past week, Alberto Franco, DA-councillor, said he will follow up on the progress.

The newspaper also sent a WhatsApp-message to Thando Nkosi, communications officer at Lekwa, on September 14 in which an enquiry was made.

Nkosi replied that she will check.
Wilma Venter, councillor of the Freedom Front Plus in Ward 10, said the same day that maintenance at cemeteries is poor.

“Residents and visitors to town who want to go to graveyards, are met by rubbish, weeds and uncut grass,” Venter added.

“Lekwa has to take decisive steps to clean up graveyards.”

As regards the criminal element, Venter undertook to give the party’s view as soon as possible.

The cemetery in Meyerville was the last stop and conditions were similar to those in town.

Corné Stoltz, councillor of the Freedom Front Plus, said on Friday, September 16 that Lekwa has done practically nothing for the past 10 years as regards maintenance.

“It is totally unacceptable and cemeteries in Standerton are filled to capacity,” Stoltz added.

“Some funeral parlours from out of town furthermore, leave cemeteries in a shocking condition after funerals.”

According to him, systems should be put in place for those businesses to take responsibility.

Desecration of burial sites that include vandalism and theft is prohibited.

The Standerton Advertiser contacted the communications officer of Standerton Police, Capt Gibi Mtsweni, on September 15, asking whether any statistics are available on drug users hiding in cemeteries.

Capt Mtsweni replied the same day that she would make enquiries.