Burial space a grave problem in seven Karoo towns
Funeral undertakers in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality are concerned that space for locals to bury their loved ones will run out by the end of December.
Although the previous mayor, Hannah Makoba, led an opening ceremony for a promising new Adendorp graveyard five years ago, burial space is still a problem.
According to a statement by Mayor Deon de Vos issued on 9 October, most graveyards within the municipal area are filled to capacity.
Wilca Smith, acting spokesperson for the municipality, confirmed that four of the nine graveyards in seven towns within the municipal area are full, with others nearly full.
In Graaff-Reinet, the municipality is busy laying out the new graveyard in the Adendorp area, near the Collie Koeberg Stadium. Smith said the municipality is at the moment setting out sites for graves.
Smith said the only municipal graveyard in Nieu-Bethesda is full, while in Jansenville the graveyard is nearing capacity.
In Aberdeen, the need for burial space is also dire, and in Willowmore one municipal graveyard is nearly full.
Steytlerville's two graveyards are also nearly full, with the one at Klipplaat nearing capacity.
Vicky Brummer, director of Brummer JPS and Sons Undertakers and Funerals, said space is becoming problematic. "We don't have such a big problem in Graaff-Reinet, but in Aberdeen the situation is becoming dire."
Speaking about the promised new graveyard in the Adendorp district, Brummer and the owner of Le Roux Funeral Services, Abie le Roux, both said they are not too optimistic about the promises of a new graveyard made over the last five years.
Le Roux warned the municipality there will be no burial space by the end of December.