Work begins to restore 5 000 vandalised ash walls at Braamfontein Cemetery

Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries are coordinating the massive restoration job to return the scenic memorials to as close a condition as they once were.

June 20, 2023

Emily Wellman Bain 2 minutes read

Some of the desecrated ash wall plaques and niches were destroyed by vandals in March. Photo: Emily Wellman Bain

In March, the ash walls at the Braamfontein Cemetery were horrifically damaged by callous vandals.

“Following that, vandals swept through the ash walls removing probably 5 000 plaques. Where they couldn’t pull the plaques off, they smashed them,” says Sarah Welham, founder of Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries (FOJC).

Some of the desecrated ash wall plaques in March were left strewn on the ground. Photo: Emily Wellman Bain

Family of the deceased whose ashes are stored there, and the broader community, have been left horrified at the wanton destruction of this sacred space in the city.

Cebo Mhlongo, manager for environmental protection at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) says, “Internal teams have implemented various interventions after the desecration and vandalism of the ash walls and plaques at the historical Braamfontein Cemetery. “

Three of the 16 volunteers who came to help restore the ash walls following their devastating destruction by vandals in March.

He says a site inspection of the grounds was done on June 12 and that ‘there have not been any new vandalism incidents at the cemetery following the installation of additional security guards and other maintenance carried out’.

“FOJC volunteers have also commenced with the reinstatement of some of the plaque’s niches and matched vandalised plaques with the correct names based on records. We are extremely grateful for their hard work and dedication.”

Sarah Welham, founder of Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries. Photo: Emily Wellman Bain.

Cremations at the site have been done since the 1930s and the adhesive used to attach older marble or granite plaques in place has deteriorated making them easier for vandals to remove.

Welham said, “Volunteers have taken on the mammoth task of restoring the ash walls. We have so far met on four separate weekends armed with clipboards, lists, and other equipment to record the details of every plaque.”

“Trying to put smashed plaques together to read the inscriptions has been backbreaking work, literally and figuratively.”

Jonathan Felix and Mike Nicol are both founding volunteer members of Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries, seen here cementing plaques back where they belong.

She hopes to finish this work within the next few days.

“Alongside that job is the painstaking work of trawling through cremation registers, checking names and dates to ensure the correct plaques are restored at the right niche.”

The mountains of lists are now also being digitised for future safekeeping.

The final look of one of the repaired ash walls after the plaques were reattached. The attention to detail was amazing and the inscriptions were made easier to read.

“We were able to attach some of the plaques to their correct position last week with materials used to affix them to the walls and to try to repair some damaged ones. This has been made possible by donations from individuals like Jonathan Felix from Helping Hands and organisations like Union Tiles in Strijdom Park who donated their time and materials needed for the job.

“This is going to be a long and time-consuming process, and a very expensive one unless we can get sponsors or receive donations from members of the public or families who have been affected.”