Restoring the past in Brixton
Two restored headstones of victims of the 1922 Strike were unveiled.
Recently, the unveiling of restored headstones of two victims of The Rand Rebellion of 1922 took place at Brixton Cemetery.
The rebellion, which was also known as the 1922 Strike, did, according to South African History online, occur during a period of economic depression following World War I, when mining companies were faced with rising costs and a fall in the price of gold.
Convenor of Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries Sarah Welham said the unveiling was attended to by veterans of the Transvaal Horse Artillery, representatives from other regiments, a Piper from SA Irish Regiment along with those of the organisation she forms part of.
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Friends assisted in the restoration of the headstones and as Welham explained, this is a way for the organisation to continue to build bridges with the community ‘and support groups who are connected in any way with our old cemeteries.
“We are also familiar with the process and contacts in the memorial business so can assist with the process.”
The first step in the process of restoration is to choose which stones need to be restored and why. “We have been identifying the graves of victims of the 1922 Strike over the past few years and marking their graves as a mark of respect for their sacrifice.”
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She continued that thereafter, they do the paper work required by City Parks and negotiate with one of the monumental masons to fix or make a new stone. “We have built good relationships with these companies and they are happy to cooperate.”
Other projects they are working on is to put up three more headstones for 1922 Strike victims. “Also to try and make our old cemeteries places that members of the public will feel safe visiting, picnic in as people did many years ago, exercise in, paint or sketch in,” she said.
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They also plan to work with the Muslim community to identify and record their graves in Braamfontein.
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