Restoring dignity to Brakpan Cemetery

A lack of funding and other challenges have not halted the great work undertaken by the Clean Brakpan community project.

This past weekend saw the team start one of their biggest clean-up projects to date – the Brakpan Cemetery.
As reported by the Brakpan Herald in January, the cemetery is in dire need of TLC.

Nature has practically taken over the cemetery, turning the graveyard into a mini forest with roots tipping over tombstones and breaking through the paving.

There are damaged and knocked-over tombstones, and in the buildings on the premises – which have been reduced to crumbling walls – vagrants have moved in.

It was also reported that the cemetery is believed to be a hideout for criminals. The overgrown state of the cemetery allows them to hide from police and security personnel fairly easily.

In March, some maintenance was done by the municipality and the grass in front of the cemetery was cut.
Bushes and overgrown trees were also cleared from the older part of the cemetery.

Little to nothing has, however, been done since. According to Lisa Jordaan, co-founder of Clean Brakpan, the community needs to get involved so they can see for themselves how the final resting place of their loved ones is so neglected and disrespected.

“It’s so bad. I don’t think people realise it’s going to take months to do. It’s really in a shocking state,” she said.

The team spent the day at the cemetery on Saturday, cutting grass, picking up litter and clearing overgrown vegetation.

“Our plan is to have a number of community clean-ups like this past Saturday. The next one is this Saturday (tomorrow) at the cemetery, then again in a few weeks time,” said Jordaan.

“From the Clean Brakpan full-time team that works Monday to Friday when funds allow, they will work two weeks of the month at the cemetery until it’s done and the other two weeks of the month doing other projects around Brakpan.”

Other projects recently tackled by the team include areas along Athlone Avenue and Van der Walt Road. Work was set to continue this week along the latter, as well as at the Eric Holdtman Centre at Tweedy Park and the Anzac traffic circle.

“Then it’s back to the cemetery and, funds permitting, we’ll see from there,” said Jordaan.

She told the Herald that a lack of support from the community is disappointing as they need so many hands with equipment.

“We are so grateful for those few that are now supporting us, and especially those that have always supported us,” she added.

Jordaan thanked the community members who do assist, as well as the team’s greatest supporters, namely Gold One, Carnival Mall, LG & I Services, Silindile Maintenance, Van Zyl Auctions, Wimpy Roadhouse, CJ Designs, DIY Maintenance, and Chako Panelbeaters.

• About Clean Brakpan
The project was started at the end of last year by a group of long-time Brakpan residents and dedicated CPF members.

The work they do with the CPF allows them to see the link between urban decay and the increase in crime, drug abuse, GBV and other social ills.

Since their inception, they have tackled numerous neglected areas in Brakpan. The group was formed with many projects planned for the restoration of Brakpan, wherever it is needed.

This is challenging, however, because large amounts of money are required for equipment hire, petrol and labour.

The Herald reported in April how the team’s future clean-ups had been temporarily put on hold because funds had dried up.

The project also inspired a children’s book, Brakpan Broom, which also helps to raise funds and educate the community on the importance of a clean environment.

Their vision is for businesses or sponsors to adopt an area, park or road and arrange a clean-up and then maintain the site.

The team has appealed to all Brakpan residents and businesses to help make Clean Brakpan a massive movement for positive change.

Banking details for donations are: Clean Brakpan, Capitec Business, account number: 1051773016, branch code: 450105, current account.

For more information about how you can get involved, call 068 881 9389, email to cleanbrakpan@gmail.com or check them out on social media: Facebook @ Clean Brakpan or TikTok @ clean.brakpan

To place your Brakpan Broom orders, call 073 335 3947 or email to info@cleanbrakpan.co.za

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