WATCH: Pensioner restores cemetery to honour loved ones
Frans Roestoff says he wants to give the dearly departed a dignified resting place.
He didn’t want his family to rest in a place of shambles, so Frans Roestoff did something about it. An East Geduld resident, Roestoff has taken it upon himself to restore the Geduld Cemetery to its former glory.
The pensioner, who says he has all the time in the world, says he was unhappy with the overall state of the graves.
“I would clean the graves of my wife, son and parents, but the graves surrounding them would be untidy, in shambles or vandalised in some way, and that broke my heart.
Roestoff started in late November, and by the festive season, he had cleared three blocks.
“We left for the holidays. Because of that and the rain, the grass grew back. Now, it feels like I have to start all over again,” Roestoff said with a laugh.
He mentioned the problems at the cemetery, “We have many homeless people who have resorted to living here. They use the tin flower pots for cooking, which creates a mess and is very disrespectful to the dearly departed.”
He also said the cemetery’s neglected state is a problem for everyone.
“The family members of those buried here have forgotten their loved ones. If they visited, they would see that the graves need cleaning and fresh flowers.
“You see the beautiful inscriptions mentioning how those who have passed were dearly loved, but the state of their graves does not show that.”
Roestoff pleads with everyone who has a loved one buried to visit their graves.
@springsadvertiser Geduld resident, Frans Roestoff, has taken it upon himself to restore the Geduld Cemetery back to it former glory, one block at a time. #Geduld #ekurhuleni
“Even if it is not to do much, come and say hello, dust the tombstone a little and pick out the weeds that grow around. It will go a long way for us to keep the place beautiful and dignified.”
He also touched on the wall that has been vandalised and the stolen pallets.
“I urge local businesses to help replace the wall. As you can see, not much ground needs to be covered.”
Roestoff says he will continue to do the work as long as he can, but because he is unemployed, he lacks the resources.
“I have opened a bank account for the cemetery cleaning so those who can’t assist physically but want to and can assist financially can do so.
“Everything requires money, from the machine to the petrol and oil to the extra labour needed. Those with the time and resources to help can join me here.”
He takes a moment to thank those who have already lent a helping hand to his cause.
“Thank you to those who have donated. Statements are available should you want to know how the funds are used.
“A big thank you to Grey Greyling, Eric the Tree Cutter, Roben Collen, the parks department for allowing me to do this and all the residents who continue supporting me. I am here every day, come rain or sunshine, bringing beauty to this place.”
Those who want to contact Roestoff can reach him on 073 680 6732 or his partner, Phyllis Prinsloo, on 063 325 9219.
