The recent heavy rains that lashed Cape Town have left a trail of devastation, including a grim reality for families mourning their loved ones at the Maitland Cemetery. The usually solemn grounds have been transformed into a watery expanse, with numerous graves, both old and new, submerged in a pool of water.
The sight is heartbreaking for families who visit the cemetery to pay their respects to their departed loved ones. Aurthur Jantjies, a Goodwood resident, expressed his concern, stating, "Last week, I heard people saying Maitland graveyard is flooded. So, I just decided to come and see for myself. I worry that the graves may collapse because of the heavy rains." Jantjies' father and mother are buried in the cemetery, and he was understandably worried about the condition of their graves. Thankfully, his parents' resting place remained untouched by the flooding.
However, other families were not as fortunate. Nosiyamcela Zali, who buried her father at the cemetery in October 2023, was distraught to find his grave inundated. "The deceased are our ancestors and seeing them living in such a condition is painful. The municipality must do something about this," she lamented.
The flooding at Maitland Cemetery is not a new phenomenon. Councillor Patricia van der Ross, MMC for Community Services and Health, acknowledged that the cemetery, along with others in the city, is prone to flooding due to its low-lying location. She explained, "Additionally, when rainwater accumulates on the surface, it is either that the soil drains poorly or is already too waterlogged for the water to soak through the soil to a lower level. In both scenarios, it is necessary to try and divert the water to the lowest point and create catchment areas, which flow into stormwater channels."
The city has previously addressed the flooding issue at Maitland Cemetery. "The department is regularly engaging undertakers and families to explain that when family graves are required to be reopened for second burials, high water table conditions may prohibit burials in winter," Van der Ross added.
While the city has taken steps to improve drainage and stormwater channels, the recent heavy rains have overwhelmed the infrastructure, leaving the cemetery in a state of disrepair. The flooding has also raised concerns about the structural integrity of the graves, with fears that they could collapse due to the waterlogging.
One of the graves affected by the flooding is that of former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Anele Ngcongca, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2020. His untimely demise sent shockwaves through the South African football fraternity, and his passing was mourned by fans and players alike.
The Maitland Cemetery, established in 1886, serves as a final resting place for countless individuals, including prominent figures from various walks of life. The current flooding situation highlights the urgent need for the city to address the drainage issues at the cemetery and ensure that the resting places of the departed are treated with dignity and respect.
The families of those buried at Maitland Cemetery are calling on the city to take immediate action to rectify the situation and prevent further damage to the graves. They are also demanding that the city provide a long-term solution to the flooding problem, ensuring that the cemetery remains a place of peace and remembrance for generations to come.
