Brixton cemetery lovingly cared for by committed volunteers.

Historic graves are cleaned, restored and researched by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation.

July 15, 2022

Emilly Wellman Bain 1 minute read

Volunteers of the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries, including Brixton CPF members, restore a fallen gravestone at the Brixton cemetery. Photo: Supplied

The Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries (FOJC) was founded by Sarah Welham to research, explore, and restore Johannesburg’s historic cemeteries.

Housed under the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, volunteers spend their weekends attending to neglected graves and carrying out general maintenance in partnership with City Parks.

Sarah Welham cleans a grave as part of ongoing efforts to maintain graves across the city. Photo: Supplied

Welham said, “Graves are not maintained by the City as they are the sole responsibility of families to look after. With the passage of time, relatives move away, cannot afford the upkeep or die themselves.”

Both the Brixton and Braamfontein cemeteries are full, meaning no new families will be visiting their loved ones buried there, necessitating the work these volunteers do so critically important.

The Brixton cemetery, opened in 1908, has many marble gravestones which need to be carefully cleaned with a soft bristle brush. “The soft material can easily crumble if scrubbing removes the outer layers. The granite ones can handle a harder brush when cleaning moss and dirt.”

Graves are washed and cleared of moss and fungal growth in the old part of the Brixton cemetery by volunteers of the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries. Photo: Supplied

Another service carried out by volunteers was the funding of professional stonemasons who restore broken or fallen-over headstones. “This is a critical component of what we do if our cemeteries are to remain the beautiful spaces that they are.
“We also conduct research on burials and graves if requested. This, and all our other work is only possible because of our amazing volunteers and donations from our communities.”

City Parks’ manager of cemeteries and crematoria, Reggie moloi, said, “The city has always had [a] notion that partnerships with community members is important and
the work done at the Brixton cemetery is something we are very happy to be collaborating on.”

For Mandela Day, FOJC will be spending 67 minutes on July 18, cleaning up the Brixton cemetery by clearing vegetation that has overtaken graves. If you would like to join them, please email cemeteries@joburgheritage.org.za

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