Diepsloot memorial park

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Joburg mayor, Amos Masondo, was given a tour of the cemetery by senior Joburg officials

A choir made up of metro police officers entertained guests at the opening of the Diepsloot memorial park

Cemetery opens in Diepsloot There is a shortage of burial space in Johannesburg, but the new memorial park in Diepsloot will go some way towards easing the crisis, with space for over a hundred thousand burials. April 12, 2007 By Millicent Kgowedi DIEPSLOOT finally has its own cemetery, with much-needed space for 120 000 primary burials. The 20ha cemetery, Diepsloot Memorial Park, was opened on Wednesday, 11 April and burials can already take place. Speaking at the opening, the member of the mayoral committee for environment, Prema Naidoo, said it was the first cemetery in the world that had embraced "who we are, as people with diverse cultures and beliefs". "The memorial park has been modelled on an Afrocentric theme, incorporating circular, landscaped nodes, with pillars that represent our diversity in strength, as a nation," he explained. "Research that formed part of the development of the Cradle of Humankind noted that late Iron Age settlements revered their dead by burying important social figures beneath circular cattle byres. This has been embodied in the circular, landscaped development of Diepsloot Memorial Park." Joburg mayor, Amos Masondo, unveils the plague to officially open the Diepsloot memorial park Built along the same lines as the new Waterval Cemetery in Midrand, Naidoo said the two burial grounds were designed to incorporate the finest facilities and infrastructure, to ensure that the dignity of a cemetery was retained. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department choir then sang Um' shini' wam, the song made famous by former deputy president Jacob Zuma. Executive Mayor Amos Masondo delivered the keynote address, highlighting the amount of work that went into the cemetery. "I am heartened that this landmark development, which forms an integral part of the City's 2030 vision, has reached completion," he said. He also acknowledged City Parks's efforts to ensure that burial space was used more efficiently, while continuing to provide people with dignified burial space. There is a shortage of burial space in Johannesburg, and Masondo said that of the city's 35 cemeteries, 24 had reached full capacity for first, or primary, burials. "We encourage Joburg residents to consider other burial sites, because urbanisation is with us." Stack burials and cremations were options to consider when faced with land shortages. "I am not saying people's bodies should be burned, but only suggesting that we look at the various options available. Big cities overseas do that." Following the formalities, the mayor; Nokwazi Ndlala, the acting managing director of City Parks; mayoral committee members; city officials; and ward councillors toured the grounds. City Parks, a Joburg agency, develops and maintains its open spaces, parks and cemeteries. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page Send an online postcard E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za