Church custodians Leonard Makuya and Silva Cossa have carefully placed over 8 500 white ribbons on the palisade fencing of St James Presbyterian Church.
Each of the ribbons symbolises one death as a result of Covid-19.
The Bedfordview church’s initiative has become a sensation online, reaching thousands of people and news organisations around the world.
On August 4, the NEWS met with Leonard as he carefully added 173 more ribbons to commemorate those who died of coronavirus in South Africa on August 3.
According to the National Department of Health, the country’s Covid-19 death toll on the day (August 3) stood at 8 539.
The project as started during early lockdown and by June 25, 2 205 ribbons had been tied to the fence.
Slightly more than a month later the number of ribbons stood at over 8 000.
“At the beginning of the pandemic one of my congregation members, Domenique Burslem-Rotheroe, and myself felt that with all the debate and controversy surrounding the virus and lockdown the voice of the victims were being lost.
“But not only the victims themselves but also their families and loved ones,” said Rev Gavin Lock.
“We were exploring ways to provide a visual representation of the Covid-19 victims that would move beyond the debate and simply recognise the loss and the pain of their bereaved families.
“Domenique suggested that we tie ribbons to the fence as a way of honouring the deceased,” he added.
Gavin said at the time the initiative was started the number of deaths were only in the 20s.
“With the lockdown in place, we solicited the assistance of our two caretakers, Leonard and Silva, who helped with the tying of the ribbons each morning, as they reside on the premises,” Gavin said.
“We have had an overwhelming response from folk who drive past, through to bereaved individuals who have taken comfort from their loved ones being represented on our fence, to news items overseas. What is most important to us is simply representing the reality and the seriousness of the impact of the virus,” he said.
Leonard told the NEWS that each ribbon means someone lost a mother, a father, a brother, a sister or child.
“It is an honour to remember those who we have lost the figth in the Covid-19 battle,” Leonard said.
